Bythemissal Captures the
$641,550 Little Brown Jug
The supplemental entry, Bythemissal won the 77th edition of the Little Brown Jug on a sunny, but windy, Thursday afternoon at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. The $541,550 second heat was a battle between the two elimination winners – Fourever Boy and Bythemissal. Fourever Boy protected his rail position and grabbed the early command, forcing the eventual winner into the pocket. Fourever Boy’s driver Dexter Dunn was able to control the field and fractions of :27.1; :55.3 and 1:24.1. Around the final turn, driver Chris Page was able to angle Bythemissal off the pylons and used a :27 last quarter to score the 1:51.1 victory by three-quarters of a length. Night Hawk (David Miller) was third and stablemate Six Feet Apart (Matt Kakaley) rounded out the superfecta. The Downbytheseaside gelding is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. He was bred by Stephen P. Dey III. Bythemissal, who was not originally eligible for the Jug and had to pay a $45,000 supplemental entry fee, became the first Ohio-sired Jug champion since B J Scoot (1988). Page, who grew up in nearby Mt. Vernon, Ohio and currently resides in Delaware, hoisted the Jug for the first time. “I have been coming to the Jug since 1994,” said Page. “This has been my dream since I was a little tyke.” Trainer Ron Burke has now conditioned four Little Brown Jug champions. The battle in the first elimination was over in the quarter of the mile, when Market Based (Andrew McCarthy) grabbed the early lead, but was forced into the pocket when Bythemissal took command just past the quarter in :27.1. The positions remained unchanged past the half in :55.3. Night Hawk was the first to challenge from the back of the pack. But Bythemissal was the strongest and used a :27.2 last quarter to defeat Night Hawk by four lengths in 1:51.3. Atlas Hanover (Anthony MacDonald) edged Greatest Ending (Mark MacDonald) for the show spot. The second $50,000 elimination was action packed with four different horses holding the lead at some portion of the mile. Fourever Boy took the lead from Gulf Shores (Yannick Gingras) in the lane and held off Six Feet Apart (David Miller) to score a 1 ¼ win in 1:51.4. Birthday (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.), who led early in the race, held on for fourth and advanced to the final.
Photo Credits: Brad Conrad
Jug Day Undercard
S I P Establishes a New World Mark in Bucket
The Ron Burke trained S I P (Joe Bongiorno) established a new world’s mark in the $88,600 Old Oaken Bucket. The sophomore Bar Hopping colt overcame windy conditions to cut the fractions of :28.2; :56.2 and 1:24, defeating Famous Father (Andrew McCarthy) by 10 lengths in 1:51.2. The new world champ is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Brixton Medical and Weaver Bruscemi.
Ms Versatility Final
The triple-millionaire Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) started her ‘farewell tour’ with a win going gate-to-wire to take the $115,500 Ms Versatility Final in 1:53.2. The seven-year-old mare defeated When Doves Cry (David Miller) by 1 ¼ lengths and Refined (Mitchell Cushing) by 5 lengths. Atlanta is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Bradley Grant and Howard Taylor and conditioned by Ron Burke.
Standardbred (Two-Year-Old Colt Trot)
Bugaboo Lou (David Miller) was a popular winner in the Standardbred two-year-old colt pace. The Sweet Lou colt defeated Lou On The Beach (Mike Wilder) and Coaches Corner (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) in 1:53.2. Brian Brown trained the winner for Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Aws Stables and Acadia Farms. All of the connections are from the Buckeye state.
Standardbred (Two-Year-Old Colt Trot)
Andy McCarthy gave Volume Eight a patient drive and sprinted past the pacesetting Biscoe (Yannick Gingras) in the stretch to score a narrow neck win in the $47,331 Standardbred for freshman colt trotters. Noel Daley trains and co-owns the Chapter Seven lass with Joe Sbrocco, La Express & JAF Racing and Mario Mazza. The final time was 1:58.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Three-Year-Old Colt Pace)
Dragononthebeach and Sling Shock won the two divisions of the $110,764 (div.) OBC for sophomore colt pacers. Dragononthebeach tripped the timer in the first division in 1:51.4, defeating Risenshine Seaside (Cameron McCown) and Moved Bythe Spirit (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.). Kelly O’Donnell trains the homebred for the Emerald Highlands Farm. Sling Shock established a new national season’s record in the second $55,382 division with his 1:49.3 win over Odds On Capitalism (Dexter Dunn) and Terminator (Chris Page). The Downbytheseaside colt is owned by Michael Cimaglio, William Richardson, William Salmeri and Rhonda Gillmartin.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Three-Year-Old Colt Trot)
Rose Run Xtra and Longshot took the pair of OBCs for sophomore colt trotters. In the first $53,808 division, Rose Run Xtra (Chris Page) defeated Gabbys Bit Coin (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) by 6 ¼ lengths in 1:55. The Cash Hall colt is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Jason Melillo. Longshot (Chris Lems) didn’t live up to his name and when off as the bettor’s choice in the second division. The Long Tom gelding topped Caviar Gold (Aaron Merriman) by 6 ¼ lengths in 1:54. Longshot is conditioned by Scott Cox for Wayne Mast, Jr. and Callam Racing.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Two-Year-Old Colt Pace)
Racing Rampage (Aaron Merriman) showed why he is considered by many as the top two-year-old pacer in the state when he took the $120,214 OBC in 1:53. The son of Racing Hill has won five of his seven seasonal starts and more than $191,000. Trainer Darren Dowler co-owns the gelding with Lawrence Bettler.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Three-Year-Old Filly Pace)
Cape Cod Hanover (Chris Page) overcame post #10 and survived a four-horse photo finish to take the $103,714 OBC for sophomore filly pacers. Do It Like Bobbi (Tony Hall) and the pacesetting Bittrsweetsymphony (Matt Kakaley) was second and third respectively. The Downbythseaside filly is trained by Ron Burke for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Rich Lombardo Racing and RAS Racing.
Brown Jug Society Adds Burke to Board
The Little Brown Jug Society held their annual meeting on Wednesday morning at the Delaware County Fairgrounds’ Ag Center. The society accepted the resignation of George Teague, Jr. and named him as an Honorary Member. The society then voted to add trainer/owner Ron Burke to its twenty-five-member board. “We appreciate the consultation and support George gave us,” said Tom Wright, President of the Little Brown Jug Society. “We are also excited to have Ronnie join us. His record speaks for itself.” “I love the Jug, its history and format,” noted Burke. “I am honored to have been asked to join the society.” Burke has trained three Jug champions and a record four Jugette winners. He was elected into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame earlier this summer.
Treacherous Dragon Takes 52nd Jugette
Treacherous Dragon and Dexter Dunn found enough daylight in the stretch and outsprinted the pacesetting Sea Silk (Chris Page) to take the Jugette, presented by Crawford Farms, for three-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday at the Delaware County Fair. When the field of eight were sent on their way for the $205,100 second heat, they settled in post position order with Sea Silk leading the field past the quarter in :27.4. Just Divine (Jordan Stratton) started the outer flow at the half in :56.4. The field raced in pairs past the three-quarters in 1:23.4. Treacherous Dragon looked like she had no where to go, but found enough room to come off the rail to win by a neck and trip the timer in 1:51. Sea Silk held on for second. The winner’s stablemate, Sweet Treasure (Andy McCarthy) was third. Nancy Takter conditions the Captaintreacherous filly for the Hot Lead Farm of Allentown, NJ. Treacherous Dragon’s record stands at 12 career wins in 23 starts with $709,863 in earnings. The first elimination came down to a stretch duel between Treacherous Dragon and A Girl That Twirls (Tim Tetrick). It appeared that A Girl That Twirls stuck a nose in front in mid-stretch, but Treacherous Dragon rallied at the rail to score a one length victory in 1:50. Trick Of The Light (Trace Tetrick) out finished Galleria Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) for the show spot. At the start of the second $25,000 elimination, a pair of Ron Burke trainees, Sea Silk and Just Divine swapped the lead in the first quarter of the mile, with Sea Silk retaking the lead before the three-eighths pole. The supplemental entrant, Sweet Treasure was the first to challenge on the outside, by Sea Silk had enough left in her tank to defeat Just Divine and Sweet Treasure in 1:50.1. Wine N Dine Me (Tim Tetrick) survived a photo to advance to the final.
Photo Credits: Brad Conrad Photos
Bluebird Dove Establishes a
New World Mark In Buckette
Bluebird Dove took flight in the $91,500 Buckette for sophomore trotting fillies to highlight the Jugette Day undercard at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Bluebird Dove defeated Disclosure (Tim Tetrick) by three quarters of a length and Valentina Blu (Joe Bongiorno) was another three lengths back in a world record breaking 1:52.2. The new world champion is trained by Melanie Wrenn for David McDuffee and L & L Devisser LLC. The daughter of Swan For All was unraced at two, but has made $173,206 this season.
Standardbred (Two-Year-Old Filly Pace)
The early action was frantic, as three pacers took their turn on top in the first quarter of the mile, but it was Valley Of Fear (David Miller) who made the final lead change and won the $41,531 Standardbred for two-year-old filly pacers. The other early leaders, Stay Happy (Mike Wilder) and Captain Carmella (Andy McCarthy) took second and third. The winning time of 1:52.2 established a new track and stakes record. Blake MacIntosh trains and co-owns Fear The Dragon filly with Hutt Racing Stable and Ozzie MacKay.
Standardbred (Two-Year-Old Filly Trot)
Brunella (Yannick Gingras) overcame post #8 and a late charge by Ruth Honig (Tim Tetrick) to take the $46,331 Standardbred filly trot in 1:56.1. Nancy Takter trains the freshman daughter of Father Patrick for Goran Falk and Christina Takter. Brunella has visited the winner’s circle twice this season and has now earned $69,493.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Two-Year-Old Filly Trot)
It was a Rose Run double in the $118,114 (div.) Ohio Breeders Championship for two-year-old filly trotters as Rose Run Yolanda and Rose Run Yanae captured the two divisions. In the second $59,057 division, Rose Run Yanae received a patient drive by Chris Page and cruised past Global Girl (Don Irvine, Jr.) and Truly Relentless (Chris Lems) by less than a length in a track and stakes record 1:54.3. Ron Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi. Rose Run Yanae picked up her second career win in her seventh start. Rose Run Yolanda (Trevor Smith) made it five straight wins as the freshman filly trotter scored in the first division with a 4 ¾ length romp. Smith kept the daughter of Triumphant Caviar in the pocket behind Swinging Senorita (Anthony MacDonald) and was pulled out down the backstretch the sprinted clear of Swinging Senorita and Contechsfashion (Aaron Merriman) in 1:56.2. Rose Run Yolanda has now earned $140,528 for Black Magic Racing and trainer Todd Luther.
Ohio Breeders Championship (Aged Trot)
The lone mare in the field, A Fancy Face, captured the $18,200 Ohio Breeders Championship trot for aged trotters. A Fancy Face (Trevor Smith) defeated The Next Triumph (Dan Noble) and Omyheart (Cameron McCown) by 3/4 of a length. The final time of 1:53.2 equaled the stakes record. The five-year-old My MVP mare is trained by Todd Luther for Greg Luther’s Black Magic Racing. The 21-race Jug Day card will go postward at 12:00 noon on Thursday.
Photo Credits: Brad Conrad Photos
Smooth Going
for Rumble Strips in
World Record Effort
Rumble Strips and Kayne Kauffman established a new world record in the $110,914 Ohio Breeders Championship for freshman colt trotters in Tuesday action at the Delaware County Fair. When the gate’s wings folded, Kauffman hustled Rumble Strips out of his rail position and rebuffed an early challenge by Black Magic (Chris Lems), tripping the quarter mile timer in :28.1. As the field of six passed the stands in :57.3, A Real Legend (Don Irvine, Jr.) was the first to tip to the outside. Rumble Strips went past the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3 and used a :27.4 final quarter to establish a new world mark of 1:53.2. Black Magic held on to second and Burton’s Hill (Brett Miller) rallied for the show spot. The new world champion is conditioned by Mike Polhamus for Constance Polhamus and Mary Beth Walters. With the lions share of the purse, the Long Tom colt’s earnings jumped to $126,144.
Buckeye Stallion Series (Two-Year-Old Filly Trot)
The sire Downbytheseaside has dominated Ohio pacing ranks the past two years, now he is taking on the trotters. Doc’s Boo Boo (Jeff Nisonger), a Downbytheseaside lass, cruised to an easy victory in the final division of the Buckeye Stallions Series for freshman filly trotters. Waddupgee (Aaron Merriman) and Don’t Tickle Me (Brett Miller) completed the trifecta. Jr Stables owns the mistakenly bred trotter who scored for the seventh time in 12 seasonal starts. Mark Winters trains. Hank LeVan guided Frantastic L to a gate-to-wire win over Mission Valley (Ronnie Gillespie) by 2 ¾ lengths in 1:57.1 to take the first division. LeVan Stables Inc., Darmofal Racing, Edward Perry and Megan Levan own the daughter of Team Six. With the win, Frantastic L now has 10 wins in 16 seasonal starts. A Long Dream (Brett Miller) came from off the pace to sweep past the tiring leaders to take the third division in a lifetime best 1:57.2. Go Long Kate (Aaron Merriman) and Aquatica (Jason Thompson) were second and third. First Up Racing Stable and Elise Kilmer share ownership of the Long Tom filly. Vernon Beachy is the winning trainer. Smokinhotirishgirl used a patient drive by Anthony MacDonald to take the second division in 2:00.4. The Uncle Peter lass sat behind the pacesetting Gabby’s Teddy Bear (Aaron Merriman) until the top of the stretch and sprinted clear by 2 1/4 lengths. TheStable.ca and Hutchison Harness share ownership in the three-time winner. Jason McGinnis is her trainer.
Ladies Driving Championship
The Spring Haven Farm Ladies Driving Championship went to Poof Daddy and Krista Harmon in 1:55.4. The event features the top point earners from the season long pacing series restricted to female pilots. Poof Daddy defeated Speaking Out (Amy Wengerd) and Sister Said (Emily Hay). The seven-year-old Woodstock gelding is also owned and trained by Harmon. With the win, Poof Daddy’s career earnings stand at an even $100,000. The 21-race Wednesday card, featuring the 52nd edition of the Jugette will go postward at 12:00 noon.
Photo Credit: Rumble Strips and Kayne Kauffman establish a new world mark of 1:53.2 in the OBC freshman colt trot (Brad Conrad Photo
MacDonald Brothers to Battle in the 77th LBJ
When the first elimination hits the track for the 77th edition of the Little Brown Jug on Thursday, history will again be made by the MacDonald brothers. Anthony and Mark MacDonald will become just the third set of brothers to drive against each other in the pacing classic, joining Dana & Del Cameron (five times) and Vernon & Stanley Dancer (twice). The older brother has out finished his sibling four of the seven previous meetings. Anthony, 45, will be sitting behind Atlas Hanover, who will be making his first start for the award-winning fractional ownership group, TheStable.ca, and Hutchison Harness. The group paid $88,000 for the son of Captaintreacherous on the Preferred Equine Online auction site earlier this month. Atlas Hanover has three wins on the season and earned more than $164,000 lifetime. His most recent effort was a third-place finish in the $40,000 Stallion Series Final at Pocono Downs. The oldest MacDonald has recorded more than 3,300 career wins, including two this week at Delaware. Mark, 43, was tapped by trainer Dr. Ian Moore to pilot Greatest Ending from post #4. He drove Greatest Ending in two of his last three starts, including a win in the $200,000 Max Hempt Memorial Consolation and a second-place finish in the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final. Of the younger MacDonald’s 6,500+ wins were a pair with Mr Feelgood to capture the 2006 Little Brown Jug. “Wow, that is pretty neat (being the third set),” noted Mark. “I love the Jug because anything can happen.” The MacDonald brothers have raced against each other at tracks all across their native Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario. They even lived together for a period of time at Windsor, Ontario. “Pretty great company for a couple kids that came up broke from PEI, lived together and worked as grooms,” added Mark. “Actually, our whole first year in Windsor we shared a queen size bed at the Ambassador (Hotel). It just goes to show if you work hard, have some vision, some luck and good timing, anything can happen.” “Mark and I have spent our lives in a game we love,” said Anthony. “I couldn’t think of a better way to race each other than at the Jug.” The Little Brown Jug is held in the same reverence as the Gold Cup and Saucer from the MacDonald’s homeland, Prince Edward Island. Mark is a three-time Gold Cup winner (2003, 2004 & 2011) and his big brother picked up his first title this August. “We carry Prince Edward Island’s 140,000 residents with us to Delaware on Thursday,” concluded Anthony. Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, both MacDonald’s appreciate the history and the opportunity.
Photo Credits: Jay Wolf
Sweet On Pete and
Gabby’s C Note Take OBC Splits
Sweet On Pete and Gabby’s C Note both led gate-to-wire to take their respective divisions of the $105,514 (div.) Ohio Breeders Championship for sophomore filly trotters in Monday action at the Delaware County Fair. When the wings of the starting gate opened for the second division, driver Anthony MacDonald protected his filly’s rail position and led the field through fractions of :27.1 and :55.3. The pair opened a four-length lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:24. Favorite Aunt (Brett Miller) made a late three-wide move but came up a neck short in 1:54.3. The Uncle Peter lass is owned by the fractional ownership group, TheStable.ca, and Hutchison Harness and trained by Jason McGinnis. Sweet On Pete won for the 10th time in 22 career starts and pushes her career earnings to over $144,000. The first $52,757 division went to Gabby’s C Note (Aaron Merriman), the heavy betting favorite, who cruised to a half-length win over the fast-closing Abby D (Tyler Smith) in 1:56.1. Sandis Commando L (Hank Levan) was another length back in third. The homebred daughter of Triumphant Caviar is co-owned by Charles, Johanna and Christopher Beaver and Steven Zeehandelar. Chris Beaver, who picked up three wins on the day, handles her training duties. Gabby’s C Note continues her dominance of this division, winning for the ninth time in 11 seasonal starts and is 13 for 17 lifetime.
Buckeye Stallion Series (Three-Year-Old Colt Pace)
Odds On Capitalism (Brett Miller) took the fastest of the four $17,500 BSS divisions of the three-year-old colt pace. The Fear The Dragon gelding defeated Rose Run Xplosion (Chris Page) by a half-length in a lifetime best 1:51.1.
Odds On Capitalism is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. for Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing. Chris Page found himself in the winner’s circle after the first division as a driver and co-owner of Dirge. The McArdle gelding won for the first time this season in 1:51.2. Page shares ownership with Kirk Nichols. The final BSS divisions went to Moved Bythe Spirit (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) and Mach Out Knockout (Austin Hanners) in identical times of 1:52.3.
Buckeye Stallion Series (Two-Year-Old Filly Pace)
Forty-six freshman filly pacers were entered into the BSS, forcing six divisions. Trainer Kelly O’Donnell teamed up with the Emerald Highlands Farm to take two of the divisions with No Fear Intended (Chris Lems) in 1:56 and Colorful Dragon (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) in 1:55.2. The final four $17,500 splits went to Stormy Serena (Chris Page) in 1:56.1, Onederfulbeach (Aaron Merriman) in 1:56.4 from post #8, Dragon By The Sea (Tyler Smith) in 1:54.1 and Hill Of A Night (Dan Noble) in a lifetime best 1:54.3.
Signature Series Final Trot
Workinitonbroadway (Chris Page) made it ‘six-in -row in Ohio’ with his two-length win over Team Jesse (Jason Beattie) in season’s best 1:54.1. Jason Brewer trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Broadway Hall for James W. Fleming. The 17-race Tuesday card gets underway at 1:00 PM.
Photo Credit: Sweet On Pete (#1) holds off Favorite Aunt to win the fastest of the two divisions of the Ohio Breeders Championship for three-year-old filly trotters in 1:54.3. (Conrad Photo) Gabby’s C Note (#2) defeats a fast closing Abby D by a half-length in the first $52,757 OBC division. (Conrad Photo)
52nd Jugette Draws 10
Ten three-year-old filly pacers will force a pair of eliminations for the 52nd edition of the $255,100 Jugette (Wednesday, September 21) at the Delaware County Fair. The first elimination will feature Treacherous Dragon (Post 2) and the locally based Trick Of The Light (Post 4). Treacherous Dragon started the season with six straight wins, including the $308,770 Fan Hanover on June 18. She has earned $594,813 and owns a lifetime mark of 1:49.1. The Captaintreacherous filly is owned by the Hot Lead Farm of Allentown, NJ and trained by Nancy Takter. Dexter Dunn will drive. The Indiana bred Trick Of The Light (Trace Tetrick) has been a force on the Indiana Sire Stake scene – winning three legs and earning $374,650 lifetime. Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Kirk Nichols owns the Odds On Equuleus filly and Brian Brown trains – all four connections are Ohio residents. The second $25,000 elimination will have both of the $15,000 supplemental entries – Sea Silk (Post 1) and Sweet Treasure (Post 4). The Ohio bred Sea Silk has won five of her 8 seasonal starts – sweeping the four preliminary Ohio Sire Stake legs and the Ohio State Fair Stake – earning $210,364 this year. The Downbytheseaside filly is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Hatfield Stables, conditioned by Ron Burke and will get the services of driver Chris Page. Sweet Treasure (Andrew McCarthy) is the daughter of Sweet Lou. She is also owned by the Hot Lead Farm and trained by Nancy Takter. Sweet Treasure finished second in the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final and the $92,300 Shady Daisy. Unraced at two, she has now earned $150,559 with her three wins and four seconds in 8 seasonal starts. The first four finishers in each elimination will return for the $205,100 final.
The $255,100 Jugette Field
1st Elimination – $25,000
PP – Horse (Driver/Trainer)
1 – Allnight Micki (Aaron Merriman/Tim Twaddle)
2 – Treacherous Dragon (Dexter Dunn/Nancy Takter)
3 – A Girl That Twirls (Tim Tetrick/Deborah Daguet)
4 – Trick Of The Light (Trace Tetrick/Brian Brown)
5 – Galleria Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr./Ron Burke)
2nd Elimination – $25,000
1 – Sea Silk (Chris Page/Ron Burke)
2 – Smuggle Tina (David Miller/Per Engblom)
3 – Just Divine (Jordan Stratton/Ron Burke)
4 – Sweet Treasure (Andrew McCarthy/Nancy Takter)
5 – Wine N Dine Me (Tim Tetrick/Scott Di Domenico)
Photo Credits: Treacherous Dragon (Curtis Salonick Photo) and Sea Silk (Brad Conrad Photo)
Charlie May is Dominant in OBC Romp;
Ohio Breds Shine
The reigning Ohio Horse of the Year, Charlie May did not disappoint the Delaware faithful in winning the Ohio Breeder’s Championship for aged pacers in a stakes record 1:49.4 on the opening day of the Delaware County Fair. Driver Brett Miller used his rail position, grabbing the early lead and was able to control the field of nine and the fractions of :26.1; :55 and 1:23. The McArdle gelding used a :26.4 final panel to score a 3 ½ length win over Odds On Shaggy (Mitchell Cushing) and Cyclone Union Jack (Aaron Merriman). Charlie May won for the 24th time for owner Don Tiger and trainer Steve Carter. Next up on Charlie May’s dance card will be the Dayton Pacing Derby on October 1.
OBC Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Fear Of Sports (Tyler Smith) led gate-to-wire and held off a furious rally by Mcseaside (Chris Page) to take the second division of the $127,114 (div.) Ohio Breeder’s Championship for freshman pacing fillies in a stakes record 1:52.3. The homebred daughter of Fear The Dragon won for the sixth time in 8 seasonal starts. Fear Of Sports is owned by the Emerald Highlands Farm and trained by Kelly O’Donnell. Kassagi (Kurt Sugg) got up in the final strides and scored a minor upset in the first $63,557 division in a wild finish. The pacesetting More The Merrier (Aaron Merriman) finished second, but was placed fouth for interference. Elvette Hanover (Chris Page) and Dragon Terror (Kayne Kauffman) were elevated to second and third, respectively. Dan O’Mara trains and Marjorie Polhamus owns the winner, who scored her second career win and established a new lifetime mark of 1:55.
OBC Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Guido Di (Brady Brown) went gate-to-wire to take the fastest of four divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old colt trotters. The Wishing Stone gelding is trained by Steve Schoeffel for Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, Lewis Falton and Sara Zidek. The first division went to Phantom Tom (Chris Lems) in 1:57.4. Scott Cox trains the Long Tom gelding for the Jughead Stables, G. Peters and David Lindsey. Country Hill (Chris Page) scored at odds of 11-1 to take the third division in 1:57. The What The Hill gelding is owned and trained by Melvin Schmucker. The final $17,500 division went to Peterbilt (Chris Page) in 1:58.2 for his owner John Holman and trainer Fred Morgan, Jr. The win was Page’s third and final victory on the 20-race card.
OBC Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Alana Hill (Brett Miller) held on by the slimmest margin to defeat I’ll Ante Up (Chris Page) to take the second of three divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old filly trotters in 1:55.4 The What The Hill filly is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. for GC Gold Racing, Walnut View Farm and John Schlabach. Her career earnings are approaching the $150,000 mark. The remaining divisions went to What A Victory (Aaron Merriman) in 1:57.2 and Gracious Triumph (Don Irvine, Jr.) in 1:57.3.
Amateur Events
Christina Johnson guided Crazy Bad K to a come from behind victory in the Tim Fouts Memorial Driving Championship in 1:56. The event brings together representatives from the various amateur driving clubs across the country. Johnson was representing the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association. Two divisions of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association trot went to Lauren Harmon with Walkonthemoon in 1:59 and Jazmin Arnold with Herecomescharlie B in a stakes record equaling 1:57. Racing resumes on Monday afternoon with an 19-race card starting at 1:00 PM.
Photo Credits: Conrad Photo
Bythemissal & Pleaseletmeknow Supplemented
A pair of three-year-old colts have been supplemented into the 77th edition of the Little Brown Jug (Thursday, September 22), presented by the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, for $45,000. Bythemissal is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi and conditioned by Ron Burke. He is the gelded son of Downbytheseaside and is looking to be the first Ohio bred Jug champ since BJ Scoot (1988). Bythemissal had only one start as a two-year-old but had made up for lost time this season. He has amassed over $537,000 in earnings thanks to wins in the $350,000 Adios Pace Final and the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial. Pleaseletmeknow was recently crowned as the New York Sire Stakes champion. He is trained by Travis Alexander for the Fiddler’s Creek Stable. He is the homebred son of American Ideal. Pleaseletmeknow has eight seasonal wins in 12 starts and has earned $522,194 in his lifetime. Supplemental entries have fared well in the Little Brown Jug. Two of the recent Jug champs were supplemental entries – Wiggle It Jiggleit (2015) and Courtly Choice (2018) The complete field will be announced after the entry box closes on Monday, September 19th at 10:00 AM.
Charlie May: OBC Freshman Fill Pace
The 2021 Ohio Horse of the Year, Charlie May, and a dozen freshmen filly pacers look to take center stage on the opening day action at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Sunday, September 18. Charlie May (driver Brett Miller) will take on eight rivals in the $19,100 Ohio Breeders Championship for aged pacers. The gelded son of McArdle has an impressive resume – 23 career wins in 45 starts, $1.5 million in earnings and a lifetime mark of 1:47.1. He is owned by Don Tiger and trained by Steve Carter, who is a handful of wins away from the 2,000-win plateau. Charlie May, who drew post position #1, comes into the OBC on a two-race win streak – the $200,000 Jim Ewart Memorial and the $85,000 Ohio Sire Stakes Final. The 12 entries in the $127,114 Ohio Breeders Championship for two-year-old filly pacers requires two six-horse divisions. In the first division, More The Merrier (Aaron Merriman) has been tapped as the morning line favorite. Bucky Trout trains the daughter of Western Vintage for September L. Six of Greenfield, Ohio. She has won half of her 8 lifetime starts, including her last effort in the $55,000 final leg of the Ohio Sire Stakes at MGM Northfield Park in 1:52.2. In the $63,557 second division, Fear Of Sports (Tyler Smith) looks to extend her four race win streak. The homebred daughter of Fear The Dragon is owned by Emerald Highlands Farm and is trained by Kelly O’Donnell. Fear Of Sports hasn’t been worse than second in any of her 7 seasonal starts, earning $129,125. Sunday’s action will also feature four divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series three-year-old colt trot and three BSS divisions of the three-year-old filly trot. The 20-race card will feature a $5,000 guaranteed Pick 4 (Races 16-19) and the first post will be at 1:00 PM. Free past performance pages for Sunday’s races will be available at LittleBrownJug.com.
Two Supplement Into the Jugette
A pair of three-year-old fillies have been supplemented into the 52nd Jugette (Wednesday, September 21), presented by Crawford Farms. The connections of Sweet Treasurer and Sea Silk have made the $15,000 supplemental payment. Sweet Treasurer is the daughter of Sweet Lou, out of She’s Some Treasure. She is owned by the Hot Lead Farm of Allentown, NJ and trained by Nancy Takter. Sweet Treasure finished second in the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final and the $92,300 Shady Daisy. Unraced at two, she has now earned $150,559 with her three wins and four seconds in 8 seasonal starts. Sea Silk is the Ohio bred daughter of Downbytheseaside. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Hatfield Stables and conditioned by Ron Burke. Sea Silk was the top two-year-old filly pacer in Ohio last season and has put together another strong season. She swept the four preliminary Ohio Sire Stakes legs and the Ohio State Fair Stake. She was second against open company in the $250,000 James M. Lynch Memorial. Sea Silk’s career record stands at 14-2-2 in 19 starts with $794,456 in earnings. The complete field will be announced after the entry box closes on Sunday, September 18th at 10:00 AM.
Reminder: Changes to LBJ #77 & Jugette #52
The race officials at the Delaware County Fair would like to remind the horseman of a couple of recent condition changes to the Little Brown Jug and the Jugette. The complete set of conditions for Little Brown Jug #77 and Jugette #52 are available at http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/. Supplemental Entries: Three-year-old pacers not currently eligible may, with a payment of $45,000, supplement to the Little Brown Jug (or $15,000 for the Jugette). Supplemental declaration fees are due with the intent to start in the Race Office by 10 a.m. five (5) days before date of race (Sundays counted). Deadline to Enter: Due by 10 a.m. three (3) days before date of race (Sundays counted). Any Supplemental entries will use a five-day box (Sundays counted). Elimination Purses: If the field is divided into two groups, the divisions will be raced for $50,000 each ($25,000 each for the Jugette) and the remainder of the total purse will go to the second heat. The first four horses in each division will qualify for the second heat with the winner being the winner of the Little Brown Jug. Post positions for the second heat to be determined by order of finish and blind draw of divisions. Second Heat Purses: All starters in the Finals will receive purse money. The winner of the Race will receive 50% of the purse; one percent (1%) of the total purse will be paid to the owners (including drivers) of each finalist finishing 6th through last including horses that are declared a non-starter for pari-mutuel purposes during the Race by the judges, or those that don’t finish the Race. The remainder of the purse for the Race will be divided 50-24-16-10% for the horses finishing second through fifth. Also-Eligibles (AEs): Should any horse scratch for the second heat an Also Eligible (AE) would be included. In a two elimination Jug or Jugette, the fifth-place finishers in the eliminations will be ranked by highest career earnings. The highest ranked fifth place finisher will be Also-Eligible 1 and the remaining fifth place finisher will be Also-Eligible 2. Detention/Retention: All starters are subject to the retention policy of the Delaware County Agricultural Society. All horses are required to be stabled within the specified barn beginning at 11:00 a.m. two days prior to the event and remain within the confines of the specified barn and other designated areas until the conclusion of the race(s). Jugette Horses: Mon, Sept 19, 2022 at 11a.m. / Jug Horses: Tue, Sept 20, 2022 at 11 a.m. The complete detention policies and procedures are available at https://www.littlebrownjug.com/other-race-info/. Questions: Any additional questions can be directed to the Race Office at (740) 363-6000.
Waples Honored: Joseph Neville Memorial Award
Keith Waples, driver of the 1972 Little Brown Jug champ Strike Out, will be honored as the 2022 Joseph Neville Memorial Award winner by the Little Brown Jug and the Delaware County Fair. Waples, generally regarded as one of the greatest horsemen in the history of harness racing, was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1973), and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1978) and the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame (1987). He started his driving career at the age of 12 and ‘retired’ from driving at the age of 81. His records show more than 3,200 driving wins, that number is surely a fraction of the true total given that statistics for a good part of his career weren’t recorded. In 1972, Waples teamed up with fellow Canadian, trainer John Hayes, Sr., to capture the 27th edition of the Jug with Strike Out. The chestnut colt erased the track record of his illustrious sire, Bret Hanover, and foiled Hilarious Way’s attempt for pacing’s triple crown. Waples also guided Albert’s Star to an elimination victory in 1975.Waples helped develop and operate a trio of Canadian tracks – Orangeville Raceway, Cloverdale Raceway (now Fraser Downs) and Sandown Park. Keith Waples passed away in May 2021 at the age of 97.
Hoffman: Receive Tom White Media Award
Hall of Fame Communicator, Dean Hoffman has been named the Tom White Media Award winner for 2022 by the Little Brown Jug and the Delaware County Fair. A native of Montgomery, Ohio, Hoffman worked at Walnut Hall Farm in Lexington, Kentucky and groomed horses for a Grand Circuit stable while attending Ohio University, from where he obtained a journalism degree in 1971. He worked in public relations and advertising agencies in varying capacities before being named Executive Editor of the United States Trotting Association’s monthly magazine, Hoof Beats, in 1981. He held that position for almost 25 years, longer than any previous editor. Hoffman wrote several books on harness racing, including: Yankeeland: The Farm the Kellers Built; Castleton Farm: A Tradition of Standardbred Excellence; Quest for Excellence: Hanover Shoe Farms: The First 75 Years; Harness Racing in New York State: A History of Trotter, Tracks and Horsemen and The Hambletonian: America’s Trotting Classic. Hoffman won the Harness Horsemen International’s Media Award (1999), the Harness Tracks of America’s Dan Patch Award (2003), the Harness Tracks of America’s Stan Bergstein Messenger Award (2005), the Pinnacle Award (2006) and was named the American Horse Publication’s Champion (2017). In 2007, Hoffman received the sport’s highest honor, induction into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame’s Communicator’s Corner. Hoffman will be presented his award at a ceremony Tuesday evening in the Delaware Log Cabin.The award honors the legacy of long-time Little Brown Jug and Hall of Fame publicist, Tom White, who passed away in 2019.
Richard Stillings : LBJ Wall of Fame
Former driver/trainer Richard “Dick” Stillings has been selected as the 37th Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame honoree by the Delaware County Fair. Stillings won the Little Brown Jug as a trainer in 1986 with Barberry Spur and came back the next year to capture the Jug as a reinsman with Jaguar Spur. “Nothing could be binger in my heart than the Little Brown Jug,” said Stillings. “My family would attend every year. This is a great honor.” Stillings, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, drove or trained some of the best Grand Circuit horses in the 1980s — Jaguar Spur ($1,806,473), Barberry Spur ($1,634,017), Kentucky Spur ($1,341,340), Pegasus Spur ($1,296,683), Esquire Spur ($336,250) and Gunslinger Spur ($317,562). Stillings began his career as a groom for Hall of Fame trainer Dick Buxton. After a three-year stint in the U. S. Army, he took jobs with Jimmy Cruise, Sr. and fellow Wall of Famer, Howard Beissinger. In 1968, Stillings moved to The Meadows in western Pennsylvania and soon established himself as a top trainer-driver. Stillings and his brother Charles “Buddy” soon joined up with owner Roy Davis and formed a tremendous partnership, sending out a string of successful horses, all with the “Spur” surname to honor the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club. Stillings, 78, retired from driving/training in 2020 with 5,920 driving victories and $44 million in purse earnings. The Delaware honor completes the Hall of Fame Triple Crown for Stillings, who was elected into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Ohio Hall of Fame in 2014. Stillings will be presented the Wall of Fame jacket and plaque during the 2022 Little Brown Jug week (Sept. 18-22).
Crawford Farms: Jugette Presenting Sponors
The Little Brown Jug is proud to announce that Crawford Farms has become the presenting sponsor for the 52nd edition of the Jugette, the three-year-old filly companion event to the Little Brown Jug. Crawford Farms is one of the nation’s top standardbred nurseries. “I am excited to support the Jugette and the Delaware County Fair,” said Michelle Crawford. “The meet is right before the major yearling sales and is a great way for us to showcase our horses.” “We couldn’t be happier to have Crawford Farms join us this year as the Jugette’s presenting sponsor. Crawford Farms has a history and the passion of supporting the industry and its prestigious events,” noted Tom Wright, president of the Little Brown Jug Society. The Jugette, presented by Crawford Farms, will be contested on Wednesday, September 21 during the Delaware County Fair’s Grand Circuit meet (September 18 – 22, 2022). The Jugette three-year-old filly pace has produced such champions as Mistletoe Shalee, Three Diamonds, Eternal Camnation, Caviart Ally and Party Girl Hill. For more information on Crawford Farms, please visit their website at crawfordfarms.com.
Ohio Chapter USHWA Offer Scholarship
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The Ohio Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) is offering one Ohio based journalism student the opportunity to participate in the Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop from August 3 – 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The college or grad student will be learning through writing and editing sessions, tours and reporting drills. Students will be asked to file stories focusing on one of harness racing’s biggest events, the $1-million Hambletonian (August 6). There is no cost to the student during the workshop – meals and lodging expense are covered by USHWA and travel expenses (up to $500) will be covered by the Ohio Chapter. Any Ohio college journalism student or resident interested is asked to submit an application and writing samples by July 8, 2022. For an application, please contact Jay Wolf at jugpublicity@outlook.com. |
Janet Terhune: Lady Pace Honoree
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Delaware, OH — Janet Terhune, Director of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York, will be saluted as the 2022 Lady Pace honoree by the Delaware County Fair. Born in Connecticut and raised in New Hampshire, Terhune earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Agriculture from the Ohio State University. Terhune served as an administrative assistant for the Ohio Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and as an administrative assistant at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. In 1986, she joined the United States Trotting Association (USTA) as an information and research associate. In 2008 she was appointed Registrar, and in 2011 the Director of Registry and Member Services. Terhune was appointed to the top role at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in the spring of 2012. Terhune will be honored in a winner circle ceremony on Jug Day (Sept 22). |
