by Jay Wolf, assistant publicity director, The Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Each week Jay Wolf, Assistant Publicity Director of the Little Brown Jug, ranks the Top 10 eligibles for the 64th edition of the pacing classic, to be raced on Thursday, September 24.

Week #5 – August 19, 2009

#1 (Last Week #1) Well Said
Owners: Jeffrey Snyder (NY) and Lothlorien (Ont)
Trainer: Steve Elliott
Driver: Ron Pierce
Career Mark: 1:47.3
Career Earnings: $2,155,127
The son of Western Hanover went over the $2 million mark with his victory in the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine on August 16. Driver Ron Pierce and Well Said were forced to go a long mile when they had to go three-wide at the three-quarter pole. Pierce noted, “When we moved to the outside down the backside, Mr Wiggles wasn’t going enough so I tipped him three wide and made a race of it. We were really flying going around the turn. He went a big mile.”

#2 (Last Week #4) If I Can Dream
Owner: Bulletproof Enterprises (FL)
Trainer: Tracy Brainard
Drivers: George Brennan and Jim Morrill, Jr.
Career Mark: 1:49.4f
Career Earnings: $948,033
Won the two-heat Confederation Cup on August 16 at Flamboro Downs in Ontario. The Western Hanover colt was interfered with in the first elimination and finished second. He drew the rail in the final heat and won by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.

#3 (Last Week #2) Mr Wiggles
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Drivers: Corey Callahan and Jim Morrill, Jr.
Career Mark: 1:49.1f
Career Earnings: $782,787
The Teague trained colt finished fourth in the Battle of the Brandywine on August 16. He was first up and provided the cover for the eventual winner Well Said.

#4 (Last Week #3) Vintage Master
Owners: Brittany Farms (KY) and Brian Monieson Trust (IL)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Daniel Dube
Career Mark: 1:49.2f
Career Earnings: $973,022
He was hindered by having the outside post (eight) in the Battle of the Brandywine. The Western Ideal colt rallied late to get the show spot.

#5 (Last Week #5) Chasin Racin
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Driver: David Miller
Career Mark: 1:51.1
Career Earnings: $500,209
He finished a solid second in the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine after setting the early pace. The son of The Panderosa was timed in 1:50.2.

#6 (Last Week #9) Johnny Z
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Drivers: Jim Morrill, Jr. and Brian Sears
Career Mark: 1:51.1f
Career Earnings: $237,307
Finished fifth in the Battle of the Brandywine. Is not scheduled to race this weekend.

#7 (Last Week #6) Passmaster Hanover
Owners: Jeffrey Snyder (NY) and Brittany Farms (KY)
Trainer: Blair Burgess
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Career Mark: 1:50.2
Career Earnings: $313,064
Had a disappointing seventh place finish in the final heat of the Confederation Cup. Next up is the New Jersey Sire Stakes leg at Freehold Raceway on August 22.

#8 (Last Week NR) Nebupanezzar
Owner: Peter Pan Stable (OH)
Trainer: Robert McIntosh
Driver: Steve Condren
Career Mark: 1:51.2s
Career Earnings: $946,365
The son of No Pan Intended is back on the Jug trail with a victory in a qualifying race at Mohawk on August 14. The leading money winning 2-year-old has not raced since winning the Ontario Sire Stakes Super final last November due to a tendon injury in his right front leg. After the race, McIntosh noted, “I was very pleased with him this morning and Steve (Condren) was too. Everything looks good soundness-wise; he just needs some tightening up.”

#9 (Last Week #7) Keep It Real
Owner: Wayne Eric Whebby (NS)
Trainer: Joey Shea
Drivers: Steve Condren and Brian Sears
Career Mark: 1:50.2s
Career Earnings: $264,525
Did not race last week.

#10 (Last Week #10) Fireintheshark
Owners: Arlene and Jules Siegel (PA)
Trainer: Jim Campbell
Drivers: George Brennan and Daniel Dube
Career Mark: 1:50.2f
Career Earnings: $328,337
He was hampered by traffic in his sixth place finish in the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine.