World Cup quali at Big M

The $300,000 Nat Ray Invitational at the Meadowlands will become the first North American race to be included in the European-based World Cup Trot in 2006.

The premier international series for older trotters consists of four preliminary qualifying events to be held at racetracks in Italy, Sweden, the United States and France and a 300,000 Euro ($384,433) final to take place Aug. 30 at Kazan Racetrack in Russia.

The top three finishers in the Nat Ray, to be held Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Meadowlands, will receive invitations into the final at Kazan. The other three World Cup Trot qualifying races are the Gran Premio UNIRE June 23 at Milan San Siro in Italy, the Hugo Abergs Memorial July 25 at Jagersro in Sweden and the Grand Prix du Conseil des Alpes Maritimes to be held Aug. 10 at Cagnes-sur-Mer in France.

The nine European horses with the highest point score 9based on order of finish in preliminary events), plus two Russian horses selected by Kazan and the top three finishers in the Nat Ray, will be invited to the World Cup Trot final at Kazan.

"The Meadowlands is excited to be part of the World Cup Trot in 2006," said Chris McErlean, vice president of racing operations for the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks. "We have actively worked to encourage international competition and the Nat Ray is known internationally as a classic event on the calendar. The chance to go against the world's best trotters will certainly be an incentive for seeking a slot in the Nat Ray Invitational field."

Su Mac Lad Series winner Self Professed and Arthur J. Cutler Memorial champion Sand Vic have been guaranteed starting spots in the Nat Ray, the richest of the World Cup Trot qualifying events. The winners of the $240,000 (estimated) Titan Cup on July 1 and the $800,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot and $250,000 Mare Trot on July 29 will also receive invitations into the Nat Ray. Jag de Bellouet, the winner of Sweden's famed Elitlopp who is heralded as the top trotter in the world this year, has also received invitations to the Nat Ray and the Breeders Crown.

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