We remember 20 years ago in racing

It was 20 years ago today, the trotter Mack Lobell once again showed the way; he was once again in style, and had to generate a smile. So may we introduce to you, the act that won the year, the 1988 Horse of the Year. And yes, if you think the lyrics are familiar, google The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Yes, it was 20 years ago this week that the 4-year-old Mack Lobell, at the time the fastest trotter in history, was named the Horse of the Year, becoming the first since Cam Fella in 1982-83 to repeat that honor. Mack Lobell was co-owned by Lou Guida, who, ironically, was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., this year, joining Mack, who was inducted into the Horse Hall of Fame in 1998.

Mack Lobell was actually headed to stud duty in 1988 but an unsatisfactory fertility test put him back in training. So Mack traveled overseas to Sweden where he won the Elitlopp. The win was so impressive that Swede John Erik-Magnusson purchased the son of Mystic Park for $6 million to stand study duty in that country, with the agreement calling for the horse to continue racing in the U.S. that year under the guidance of trainer Chuck Sylvester.

Mack came back to North America and his victories included the Yonkers International, the Challenge Cup, the Van Lennep Memorial, the Nat Ray, a leg of the Statue of Liberty Series, and a world-record effort in the Breeders Crown that broke the long-standing mark held by Nevele Pride. His lone defeat that year came in the epic March of Dimes Invitational, where he finished third behind Sugarcane Hanover and Ourasi.

Mack Lobell—also voted Older Trotter of the Year and Trotter of the Year—led an illustrious group of divisional winners that year. Here is the list of the rest of the 1988 champions: Totally Ruthless (2CP); Central Park West (2FP); Matt’s Scooter (3CP, POY); Sweet Reflection (3FP); Call For Rain (OHP); Armbro Feather (OMP); Valley Victory (2CT); Peace Corps (2FT); Armbro Goal (3CT); Nan’s Catch (3FT); and Scenic Regal (OMT).

In other news looking back at Christmas Week 1988, stories in The Horseman included Dave Magee winning his 3,500th career race at Sportsman’s Park. Ironically, Magee is now just a handful of wins away from reaching the 11,000-win mark for his Hall of Fame career.

Also making news that week was Louisville Downs, which announced a purse increase for its 1989 winter/spring meet; Northfield Park, which announced it was wrapping up a new single-season handle record for its 1988 meet; Miller’s Aussie, who scored in the Open Pace at The Meadows; Doodlin winning her 18th race of the year at Los Alamitos; a soon-to-open Prairie Meadows racetrack getting ready; Scenic Regal capping off the year in style with a win at Yonkers; and the reign of King Charles at Freehold.

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