Am-Nat to wind up at Sportsman's

The American-National at Sportsman's Park ends a week-longseries tomorrow night and although Hambletonian winner Mack Lobellwon't be there, several other notable entries will.

Tomorrow night's $229,500 3-year-old trot will feature a fieldof 10, including the three-ply entry of Spotlight Lobell, Buckfinderand Manor Victory.

Tonight's $149,500 Am-Nat trot for 3-year-old fillies also lacksa big star but will have a seven-horse field.

Meanwhile, Mack Lobell will be coming to Illinois - but not toChicago. Instead, this year's Hambo - and possible Triple Crown -winner probably will start in the $115,000 Review Stake Aug. 21 atthe Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

A 1:53.3 winner last week in the Hambo at the Meadowlands, MackLobell won the first leg of trotting's Triple Crown by taking the$324,115 Yonkers Trot in a record 1:57.3.

World marks will be on his mind next week at Springfield, whereentrants may set records on the track and patrons will set records atthe betting windows. For the first time, Springfield will offerpari-mutuel wagering, beginning Monday with the first of manyIllinois-bred stakes.

Illinois-bred colts will race Monday, with fillies following onTuesday. Older state-bred performers will go Wednesday in additionto the Grand Circuit horses, which also will compete on Thursday andFriday. The 3-year-old trot will be the highlight Aug. 21, inaddition to time trials.

Jate Lobell has returned to Illinois from New Jersey, and it'spossible Mark O'Mara may start him in Thursday's Review Futurity.The deciding factor probably will be the weather. O'Mara's optionsinclude heading to Montreal for the $600,000 Prix d'ete on Aug. 23. Driver Walter Case Jr., who has won more than 2,300 races though heis only 26, is coming from the Meadowlands to Chicago, where he willhave first call on owner John Carver's horses.

Carver is the western Illinois owner who has invested more than$1 million in harness racing during the past eight months in a bidto have the best stable in Chicago.

Carver has used Dave Magee and Ron Marsh, among others, to drivehis horses this summer in Chicago, but Case recently won a big racefor him in Canada.