A contentious field of 10 is expected to compete in the $210,000 American National for aged trotters Saturday night at Sportsman`s Park.
Tabbed as a lukewarm 3-1 favorite by Tribune harness handicapper Mike Paradise is Honkin Hanover, who was upset in a division of the eliminations last week by expected second betting choice Night Court Dan.
Honkin Hanover clocked the fastest time of the year when he trotted 1:54 1/5 at the Meadowlands. Dave Magee has the driving assignment.
Night Court Dan has won half of his last 34 starts, but must overcome a breaking problem to run his best.
Also expected to contend are Dr. Trotta, who won a division of the Dygert Trot at Hawthorne this spring, and Magic Moose, who has bankrolled more than $300,000 over the 18 months.
– Jockey Pat Day had some tough luck Wednesday night.
The three-time Eclipse Award winner was on his way to ride Radiant Ring in the Matchmaker Stakes at Atlantic City, but bad weather in the Ohio Valley caused his plane to sit on the runway at O`Hare for two hours.
Day alerted trainer Jim Day of his predicament by phone on the plane. The delay caused the jockey to miss the race, which Radiant Ring won.
Then Day was supposed to ride Tricky Fun in Saturday`s $150,000-added Hollywood Breeders` Cup in California. But the sprinter caught a fever and will miss the race.
But Day and his agent Fred Aime are a resilient lot. Aime hustled Day to the mount on Firm Stance in the $50,000-added River Downs (Ohio) Breeders` Cup Saturday.
– The Friends of Children in Therapy host ”A Great Stride” benefit from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Trackside. Tickets, which include admission, parking and a meal, are $15 for adults and $7 for children. Call 708-255-8690.