by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Due to a decline in the horse population in the state of Ohio, the Delaware County Fair has elected to suspend Monday afternoon racing during the 2011 Delaware County Fair.

“A large part of our racing program depends on Ohio-bred horses and with the dwindling numbers we will lose 80 to 100 horses this year,” said Phil Terry, manager and director of marketing for the Delaware County Fair. “In order for the Delaware Fair to provide a premier race program, we have eliminated Monday as a race day for 2011. This will allow us to put on four great afternoons of racing that all of our fans will enjoy. Monday was eliminated because it is our least attended with the smallest live handle of our great stakes schedule.”

Grand Circuit racing will begin on Sunday, September 18, and continue Tuesday, September 20; Jugette Day, Wednesday, September 21; and Little Brown Jug Day, Thursday, September 22.

Over the past few years the Ohio horse population has steadily decreased because of strong competition from surrounding states that have alternative gaming as part of their business plan. Monies from alternative gaming have allowed Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario, Canada to provide much larger purses than in Ohio. Thus, owners and breeders have migrated to those states.

“Since 1939, the Delaware County Fair has strived to provide a premier racing program,” said Terry. “From the start our racing has been world class. In 2010, Rock N Roll Heaven set a world record in winning the 65th Little Brown Jug and went on to be voted Horse of the Year. This is the type of horse that we attract to Delaware and will continue to attract in the future. We will still have four of the greatest days in harness racing with the largest crowds in North America in 2011 and beyond.”

For a complete Grand Circuit stakes schedule and other news about the Delaware County Fair click on the Little Brown Jug website, www.littlebrownjug.com.