by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Delaware, OH — Well Said and Ron Pierce wore down If I Can Dream and Tim Tetrick in the stretch to win the final of the $609,150 Little Brown Jug in 1:51.4 over a ‘good’ track on Thursday (Sept. 24) at the Delaware, Ohio fair.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Well Said and Ron Pierce won the final of the $609,150 Little Brown Jug in 1:51.4 over a ‘good’ track on Thursday.

After overcoming the eight hole to win his elimination, Well Said put in an effort for the ages in the $292,392 second heat final. Starting from post position two, he got away fourth as If I Can Dream (Tim Tetrick) powered to the lead at the opening quarter in :27.4. Tetrick and the first elimination winner maintained the lead through middle half fractions of :56.3 and 1:24.2.

But heading to the three-quarter pole, Pierce moved Well Said to the outside of the racetrack and they went right after If I Can Dream as a rain soaked crowd of 47,623 came to their feet and roared their approval.

Down the lane If I Can Dream was game, but could not hold off the valiant effort of Well Said who pulled away in the final strides for a one length victory. Straight Shooting was third for Dave Palone.

With his two victories on the day, Well Said improved his 2009 totals to 10 wins in 12 season’s starts, with 2009 earnings of $1,929,014 for owners Jeffrey Snyder and Lothlorien.

“I knew there would be some speed in there and I was able to kick back and just relax,” said Pierce. “(Corey) Callahan (with Mr Wiggles) took us halfway down the backstretch and I decided to just get it over with.

“Once I cleared George Teague’s horse and Corey (Mr Wiggles) I just grabbed this colt and sat him out there and I could have just blew by him if I wanted to. That’s how good this colt is. He’s just an amazing animal.

“But I just sat him out there and chased him a little bit here in the lane.”

“We pretty much knew what the competition was and Ronnie just drove perfect,” said co-owner Jeff Snyder. “It was an amazing effort.

“(Trainer) Steve Elliott really wanted to go (to Delaware for the Jug) and so did Ronnie Pierce and they are the captains of the ship. We had a little bit of nervousness when there were two divisions but it turned out good. It couldn’t have worked out any better.

“You know the eight hole was one thing but I was sick when I heard they had a 10-horse field and a nine-horse field. I think that changed for next year but the horse has been acting really good.

“We sent him to the Simcoe for a tightener. It looked like he was all out or not at his best, however, Ronnie said he just wanted to tighten him up a little bit and didn’t get after him. It’s worked out perfect, the scheduling and everything else.

“We came here with that deal with Hanover to stand him in 2010 so a little bit of the pressure was off in terms of the horse. You have less pressure when you have the eight hole because no one expects you to win.

“I think there will be a lot of breeders lining up hopefully to buy a share and we are looking forward to standing him at Hanover in Pennsylvania next year. This shows that he is versatile and gets over any kind of track and he really wasn’t extended today.”

If I Can Dream, Well Said win first heat eliminations

Bulletproof Enterprises’ If I Can Dream came flying down the middle of the racetrack in the lane and captured the $97,464 first elimination of the Little Brown Jug.

Tim Tetrick piloted the Tracy Brainard trainee to a 1:52 score for his eighth victory in 15 season’s starts.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

If I Can Dream came flying down the middle of the racetrack in the lane and captured the $97,464 first elimination of the Little Brown Jug in 1:52.

River Shark (Luc Ouellette) was flying off the gate and grabbed command heading into the first turn. He then set fractions of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:22.3. Straight Shooting came first over heading to the three-quarter pole, while Mr Wiggles was locked along the rail in third.

Turning for home, pacers were coming from everywhere and If I Can Dream (who started from the 10 hole in the second tier) shook loose down the the middle of the lane to just nip Straight Shooting (Dave Palone) at the wire. Mr Wiggles (Corey Callahan) finished third, but was placed fourth for a pylon violation in the stretch. River Shark faded to fourth, but was placed up to third.

“He went a really big trip,” said Tim Tetrick of If I Can Dream. “There was a lot of confusion into the first turn which you are going to have on a half, especially with trailers, and my horse was three wide for three-eighths of a mile and horses just don’t do that.

“He was just on his game today. I want the end result to be the one and hopefully it all works out. Winning the Jug would be great.

“Thank God I didn’t have the nine (post) because I could have gotten away even further back. With these trailers; I think every horse should have a chance to be on the gate and I would rather be on the outside sometimes rather than be a trailer.”

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Well Said and Ron Pierce circled pacers on the final turn to win the second elimination in 1:51.1.

Well Said and Ron Pierce circled pacers on the final turn to win the second elimination of the Little Brown Jug in 1:51.1. The Western Hanover-Must See colt overcame the outside post eight to win for the ninth time in 11 season’s starts. Vintage Master finished second for Daniel Dube, Sheer Desire and Dave Palone were third, while fourth place finisher Carnivore (Jody Jamieson) also advanced to the second heat.

Chasin Racin left strongly from the three hole but it was Carnivore who protected the rail and was on front through fractions of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:23.1. On the final turn, Well Said was sent three wide by Pierce and easily grabbed the lead by the head of the stretch.

Only the final margin was in doubt as Well Said went on to a 3-1/4 length triumph over Vintage Master.

“(The traffic) didn’t bother us at all,” said Pierce. “We just followed Danny (Dube), who drove Vintage Master. The thought (of gunning out of the eight hole) never crossed my mind. It would have been suicidal. It would have been stupid.

“This horse is so good, the eight hole doesn’t or didn’t matter. This colt, I think he is head and shoulders above the rest. I don’t see him getting beat unless we have some really bad luck.

“I wasn’t surprised how easily he won this race. He’s always been good all year. Steve Elliott has done a great job with him and his team has managed him so well.

“I didn’t really notice it (the track conditions) and I don’t think it will be a problem. We have the best people in the world here, the Coon brothers taking care of the track.”