Jate Lobell to defend ranking

Press, 6 August 1987, Page 37

Jate Lobell to defend ranking

By

JEFF SCOTT

Jate Lobell, which finished out of the money for the first time in 30 starts in last month's Meadowlands Pace, is to defend his earlier top ranking when he meets Laag, Frugal Gourmet and Run the Table in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Pace at the Meadowlands this evening.

The Wendell Holmes is to be raced in two heats with the first five finishers in each competing again later in the night for the winner’s share of the $143,000 prize. Righteous Bucks, which won his heat and the final of the famed Cane Pace at Yonkers Raceway two weeks ago, is also a leading contender. He was unable to make the final of the Meadowlands Pace (won by Frugal Gourmet) after breaking in the eliminations a week be-

fore the final. Frugal Gourmet, which was second in an elimination of the Cane Pace, finished last in the final, while Jate Lobell did not contest the Cane series. Jate Lobell’s trainer, Mark O’Mara, stated the timing of the features did not suit, with the Cane Pace coming nine days after the Meadowlands Pace and less than two weeks before the Holmes Wendell. Bill O’Donnell’s drive, Laag, a grey horse by Abercrombie, finished fifth in an elimination of the Cane Pace after his fine second in the Meadowlands Pace. It was felt the smaller track at Yonkers was against Laag. Run the Table, third in the Meadowlands Pace, was scratched from the Cane Pace Final after he was found to have a high temperature after the elimination.