US horse Resolve wins Yonkers Trot

YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) Even-money favorite Resolve, representing the United States, set a world record as he led from start to finish to win the $1 million Yonkers International Trot on Saturday.

Ake Svanstedt, the 6-year-old's trainer, drove the winner to a 1 1-2 length victory over Italy's Oasis Bi, driven by Erik Idielsson. Resolve was timed in 2:23.4, a record for the 1-\\-mile distance on a half-mile track.

Resolve was one of three U.S. representatives in the 38th edition of the International Trot. Resolve paid $4.20.

Flanagan Memory of Canada, with Brian Sears in the sulky, finished third.

Resolve left from the second post position and carved out speedy fractions of 28.1, 57.1, 1:26, and 1:54.4 for the mile, with Oasis Bi sitting right behind him. Neither Oasis Bi nor any of the other eight starters was able to mount a threat to Resolve in the stretch drive.

''I was hoping to control the race, and was able to do so,'' said a composed Svanstedt in the winner's circle. ''I wanted to be aggressive. He did everything himself, I was just a passenger. Once he got the lead, he was very comfortable. He could have gone even faster.''

In all, seven countries competed in the race, which was resuscitated last year after a 20-year absence by Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino president Tim Rooney. The International was inaugurated in 1959 at now defunct Roosevelt Raceway.

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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ake Svanstedt.