by Tom White, publicity director, The Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — In 1959, Adios Butler laid the groundwork for his induction into the Hall of the Immortals at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

Adios Butler came to Delaware, Ohio, as the winner of the Cane and Messenger, the first two legs of pacing’s Triple Crown. Sixteen colts and two fillies were entered in the Jug, the largest field ever.

Adios Butler’s trainer, 26-year-old Paige West, selected future Hall of Famer Clint Hodgins to drive Butler.

“Clint drove him in both the Cane and Messenger and you don’t want to jump off a winning horse. Besides, I think Clint is the best horseman that ever lived,” said West from his home in Pompano Beach, Fla.

The 1959 Little Brown Jug was to be the best one yet as a gigantic crowd of 40,000-plus cheered Adios Butler on to unprecedented records and the lion’s share of the biggest Jug purse thus far, $76,582.

Meadow Al, who was second to Adios Butler in the Messenger, gave the huge throng a great show in the first heat as he came from eighth at the three-quarters to win by a head over Culver Pick in 2:02.2. Joe O’Brien was the driver.

Adios Butler went after the lead immediately in the second elimination heat and edged to the front at the quarter in :29. He was well in hand as he buzzed by the half in :59.2. The crowd’s cheers grew to a resounding roar as it became apparent that Adios Butler would set a new speed record. As he passed the three-quarters in 1:30, his only competition was the clock. Hodgins urged him through a :29.2 final panel and Adios Butler became the all-time fastest 3-year-old pacer on a half-mile track in 1:59.2.

Adios Butler led at every pole but the first in the final heat, but Meadow Al was never far back. Adios Butler cruised under the wire in 2:00.4, with Meadow Al a safe 1-1/4 lengths behind.

“Winning the Jug was really a big deal to me. The Jug is the premier race for pacers,” said West.

With the victory, Adios Butler became pacing’s first Triple Crown winner.

Adios Butler was destined for even greater triumphs. At age four he set the sport’s all-time speed record of 1:54.3 in a time trial at Lexington’s Red Mile. West was in the sulky with Delvin Miller and Eddie Cobb behind the prompters.

The son of Adios-Debby Hanover was voted 3-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year in 1959 and Horse of the Year in 1960-61. He won 37 of 50 lifetime starts and $509,844. In 1990, Adios Butler was voted into the Hall of Immortals.

“Adios Butler was the fastest horse I have ever seen,” believes West. “He was a season’s champion at two and set world records at three and four on both half-mile and mile tracks, and at distances of 1-1/16 and 1-1/8 miles. I knew from the beginning he was a special horse.”

West trained Adios Butler throughout his career and owned the colt in partnership with Angelo Pellillo of Scarsdale, N.Y. Russ Carpenter of Chester, N.Y. was the breeder.

Adios Butler was syndicated for $600,000 and stood at stud at Fair Chance Farm in Washington Court House, Ohio.

Dana West, one of Paige’s two sons, will attend the Little Brown Jug this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Adios Butler’s triumph.

“Every day growing up back home in Maryland, I would see the Jug trophy and blanket. Dad had them on display. This will be my first visit to Delaware. It is a celebration.”