RACING NOTES : Trotter Mack Lobell Aims at Perfect Record

Mack Lobell, the world’s fastest trotter, was supposed to retire at stud in Sweden when American Lou Guida sold him to John-Erik Magnusson for $6 million in 1988.

But as a 6-year-old, Mack Lobell continues to come out of stud service and continually win on the competitive Swedish harness racing circuit.

“I believe that Mack Lobell is still the world’s No. 1 trotter, even when he’s not in top shape,” driver Thomas Nilsson said.

On Saturday, Mack Lobell beat Mr. Moxy by nearly two lengths in the feature race at Solvalla Racetrack outside Stockholm for his 14th consecutive victory in Sweden.

Nilsson, one of Sweden’s leading drivers, has not lost a race with Mack Lobell. They will try to close the year with a perfect record Dec. 22, Mack’s next scheduled start.

The U.S.-bred Mack Lobell has turned into a gold mine at stud and is not doing badly on the race track either. With one race left this year, Mack Lobell has won more than $454,000.

Magnusson, who said Mack Lobell is fully booked for next stud season, also has big plans for him on the track next year.

“I may enter him for the Prix d’Amerique, but I’d like to see Peace Corps in that race, too,” Magnusson said. “It would probably be too much to race Mack Lobell alone against the best French trotters.”

Peace Corps, the U.S. Trotter of the Year in 1989, was purchased by Swede Bjorn Pettersson’s U.S.-based stable in 1988 and was brought to Sweden this year.

Mack Lobell easily beat Peace Corps in the May 27 Elitloppet over one mile at Solvalla in the first meeting between the world’s fastest male and female trotters.

The Dec. 22 race is expected to get Mack Lobell ready for the Prix d’Amerique. Europe’s premier harness race will be held at the Vincennes track in Paris in late January.

Mack Lobell, whom Guida purchased for only $17,500 in 1985, has set eight world records. He was the 1987 U.S. Harness Horse of the Year and is a three-time Breeders Crown champion.

Dance for Lucy led wire-to-wire, weathering a late rally by Betty Lobelia to win the first division of the $60,425 Cardinal Handicap by a nose Sunday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Dance for Lucy, ridden by David Penna, picked up her third win in 11 starts this year.