by Jay Wolf, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — This is week No. 2 on the “Road to the Little Brown Jug.” There was not much change at the top of this week’s list as Captaintreacherous continues in the top spot. We have added a couple of new faces to the list.

This week’s celebrity sections come from Hall of Famer Sam McKee. McKee is a jack of all trades and one of the nicest gentlemen in the sport. McKee is the Director of Television at the Meadowlands Racetrack, the Grand Circuit announcer for the Red Mile, the simulcast host for the Little Brown Jug and a pedigree reader at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pa.

Little Brown Jug Top 10 Contenders (Week #2–Aug. 6)

1. Captaintreacherous (Last Week #1)
Owner: Captaintreacherous Racing (KY)
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Career Earnings: $2,044,421
Career Mark: 1:48.1 M
He won a qualifier at the Meadowlands on Aug. 2 by more than 15 lengths in 1:50.1, the last quarter in :25.4. He is being pointed to the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine on Aug. 17.

2. Vegas Vacation (Last Week #2)
Owners: West Wins Stable (ONT), Adriano Sorella (ONT), Anthony Beaton (ONT) and Phyllis Saunders (ONT)
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Drivers: Brian Sears/Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $431,601
Career Mark: 1:48.3 Moh
Won a $12,500 elimination for the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs on Aug. 4 in 1:49.2.

3. Sunfire Blue Chip (Last Week #3)
Owners: Christina Talker (NJ), John & Jim Fielding (ONT), Brixton Medical AB (SWE) and RAW Equine Inc. (ONT)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Career Earnings: $398,714
Career Mark: 1:48.3 Mea
Won a $12,500 elimination for the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs on Aug. 4 in 1:50.2.

4. Odds On Equuleus (Last Week #4)
Owner: Odds On Racing (IL)
Trainer: Robin Schadt
Driver: John Campbell
Career Earnings: $602,221
Career Mark: 1:50 Moh
Set the pace in an Empire Breeders Classic elimination on Aug. 4 before fading to fourth.

5. Lonewolf Currier (Last Week #6)
Owner: Francis Azur (PA)
Trainer: Kevin McDermott
Drivers: John Campbell/Brian Sears
Career Earnings: $274,495
Career Mark: 1:48.4 Mea
The Panderosa colt finished third in a leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on Aug. 2 at the Meadows.

6. Mach It So (Last Week #8)
Owner: Bamond Racing LLC (NJ)
Trainer: R. Nifty Norman
Driver: Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $214,238
Career Mark: 1:50 Moh
Did not race last weekend.

7. Lucan Hanover (Last Week NR)
Owners: West Wins Stable (ONT) and Christine Calhoun (ONT)
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Drivers: David Miller/Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $218,260
Career Mark: 1:48.3 M
Won the $250,000 New Jersey Classic on Aug. 3 at the Meadowlands in a lifetime best 1:48.3. This son of Western Ideal has won four in a row.

8. Some Kinda Beach (Last Week NR)
Owners: Ronald Michelon (IL) and Paymaq Racing (IL)
Trainer: Robin Cruise
Drivers: Marcus Miller/Andy Miller
Career Earnings: $155,980
Career Mark: 1:50.1 Mea
Was a solid winner in a leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on Aug. 2 at the Meadows in 1:50.1.

9. Rockin Amadeus (Last Week #10)
Owner: Lothlorien (ONT)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Career Earnings: $584,390
Career Mark: 1:49.3 M
He overcame a long trip to finish third in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic on Aug. 3.

10. Word Power (Last Week #7)
Owner: Bradley Grant (ONT)
Trainer: Larry Remmen
Drivers: Jim Morrill, Jr./Corey Callahan
Career Earnings: $128,250
Career Mark: 1:49.4 M
He was the betting favorite in the New Jersey Classic on Aug. 3. He led the field past the half-mile pole but faded to seventh.

Little Brown Jug Top 10 Contenders
by Sam McKee–the newest member of Communicator’s Corner of the Hall of Fame and simulcast host for the Little Brown Jug

1. Captaintreacherous-the best colt out there but, like his sire, will he or won’t he go to the Jug?
2. Sunfire Blue Chip-fast, talented, top connections and still getting dialed in gait-wise with room to improve
3. Vegas Vacation-what comes around goes around so he’s due for some better racing luck
4. Word Power-threw in his first clunker of the year in NJ Classic. Did recent tough trips catch up to him?
5. Lonewolf Currier-inconsistent but can flat out motor when he’s right
6. Odds On Equuleus-has had issues and races have been well spaced. Major player if right.
7. Lucan Hanover-looked like a new horse in NJ Classic with Coleman adjustments.
8. Sunshine Beach-fast horse; can he get around the half-mile OK at mega-speeds?
9. Johny Rock-honest sort who is a factor with an inside draw
10. Twilight Bonfire-has gone south recently but connections will be gearing up for the Jug

Honorable mentions: Beach Memories, Captive Audience, Dedi’s Dragon, Martini Hanover, Source Of Pride, Wake Up Peter