16 years ago at GSP

Bob Heyden, the statistician at the Meadowlands, hasn't forgotten that 16 years ago today--Nov. 17--the March Of Dimes Trot was held at Garden State Park. A purse of $600,000 was up for grabs for the world's best trotters, but many looked to many that it was a grudge match between the French star Ourassi (6-5 odds) and Mack Lobell (3-5).



Up in time by a neck was Sugarcane Hanover, driven by Gunnar Eggen, in 1:55.1, over Ourassi and Mack Lobell. Mack had cut the fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.3. Sugarcane Hanover tracked the leaders and went by in the last steps.



Heyden notes that Mack was 17 of 18 to that point and en route to his second straight Horse Of The Year Award here, but that failed to intimidate the best trotters from around the world.



Two historic harness moments in connection with the March of Dimes Trot? EVERY one of the 10 starters went on to million-dollar winning careers, the only time that has ever happened in harness racing in North Ameria with a 10-horse field. And the composite career earnings of the starters was a never before reached or since topped $20 million !



Previous Kentucky Futurity champ Napoletano got the fourth check and the only female in the race, Scenic Regal, was fifth. Rounding out the field were No Sex Please, Esotico Prad, Go Get Lost, Callit and Friendly Face. Mack Lobell wound up the year 19 17-0-2 $769,378.

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