by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Four of the five top pre-season Little Brown Jug contenders were in action this past weekend. Big Jim, the 2010 divisional champion, kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with an easy 1:51.4 victory in the $25,000 New Jersey Classic eliminations at The Meadowlands.

Shadyshark Hanover, No. 3 in the US Trotting Association’s pre-season ratings, also won his first start in 1:51.1 in an overnight at Harrah’s Chester and will join Big Jim and nine others in the $450,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic Final.

Longshot Roadside Delight upset Fashion Delight and Feel Like A Fool in a $12,500 elimination of the Empire Breeders stakes at Tioga Downs. Roadside Delight set a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4 in beating fourth ranked Fashion Delight and second rated Feel Like A Fool.

Another Jug hopeful, Custard Dragon, captured the $300,000 Max Hempt Final in 1:50.2 at Pocono Downs. Jug eligibles Powerful Miss and Movie Idol finished second and third.

This week’s schedule of upcoming races for Jug eligibles.

May 28 $400,000 New Jersey Classic Final at The Meadowlands
May 28 $40,000 Art Rooney Eliminations at Yonkers
May 28 $40,000 Indiana Sires Stakes at Hoosier Park
May 29 $250,000 Empire Breeders Final at Tioga Downs

For further information about the Little Brown Jug and other Delaware Grand Circuit news click on the Jug website: www.littlebrownjug.com.