Swede ending at ‘International’
Sweden’s Cruzado Dela Noche captured the $1 million Yonkers International Trot on Saturday — but he needed a local assist to get the job done.
Yonkers regular Brian Sears drove the Anders Strom-owned, Marcus Melandertrained Cruzado Dela Noche (30-1) to a head victory over Norway’s Lionel (11-1) in 2:24 3/5. Up And Quick (10-1), representing France, finished third.
“They call [Sears] the big-money driver, and I can understand why,” said Strom, who was pleased Sears chose to drive his long shot over the USA’s Ariana G (5-1), who finished fourth.
In the first turn of the 1 ¼-mile race, both Italy’s Ringostarr Treb (7-5 favorite) and Sweden’s Pastore Bob (15-1) went offstride and finished ninth and 10th, respectively.
“A couple [of horses] made breaks, but I was really happy with my spot, and I had cover,” Sears said.
Cruzado Dela Noche never saw the rail, as Sears kept him on the outside with cover following Lionel.
At the top of the stretch, Sears moved Cruzado Dela Noche three wide and needed the length of the stretch to gun down Lionel.
Cruzado Dela Noche paid $62.50 to win the 40th edition of the International, giving Sweden its fourth win in North America’s premier race for older international trotters.
Sears added to his big afternoon by winning the $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace with Mcwicked (2-5) in 1:50 4/5 for the flat mile. The $250,000 Harry Harvey Invitational Trot was won by Warrawee Roo, trained by Luc Blais and driven by Daniel Dube in 2:25 2/5 for 1 ¼ miles.