By Adam Hamilton
CHAMPION trotter Keystone Del is just one phone call away from heading to the US for the $US1 million International Trot at Yonkers in New York on October 16.
Trainer Brent Lilley said he expected to hear confirmation of an invite in coming days.
“We are keen, but the officials over there have been waiting for the Elitlopp (run Sunday night in Sweden) before issuing any invites,” Lilley said.
“Michael Taranto and Andrew Kelly have been doing the legwork from Australia for us and they say there’s a spot for a horse from down here and Keystone Del is the one they want.
“The owners have left the decision to me and I think we should give it a go.
“The timing works well, he’s going as well as ever and Yonkers is the sort of track which will suit this horse, providing he draws well.”
Despite being a rising nine-year-old, Keystone Del has raced 14 times this season for 12 wins and a third. This season alone he’s earned almost $300,000.
The latest win came in the Group 2 Jack Slack Trotters’ Cup (2200m) last night (Saturday). He’s now won 40 of his 63 starts.
Driver Anthony Butt took Keystone Del to the front from gate four, controlled the tempo through a 62.3sec middle half then finished-off in 57.2 and 27.1sec to easily hold-off his main danger Stoned I Am and win by 6.9m.
“If the invite comes through this week, we’ll give him a bit of a break then bring him back and set him for the trip,” Lilley said.
“We can get over there about three weeks before the race and if there’s a race at Yonkers the week before the big one, we’d be keen to give him a lead-up run there.”
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