by Jay Wolf, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — The connections of 123 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings have made the final payment to remain eligible to the 70th edition of the Little Brown Jug.

The 123 horses eligible represents a 19.4 percent increase over the 103 that were eligible in 2014.

The list of remaining eligible horses includes last year’s 2-year-old champion Artspeak, the 2015 Art Rooney Memorial champ In The Arsenal, Go Daddy Go, Lost For Words, Yankee Bounty and freshman Breeders Crown winner Traceur Hanover.

Wakizashi Hanover was originally not eligible for the Jug, but due to his victory in last Saturday’s Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk, the gelded son of Dragon Again can now supplement into the Jug.

LBJ conditions allow non-eligible winners of the Cane Pace, North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace and Messenger Stakes the option to enter for a $45,000 fee.

“We are really excited about the 70th edition of the Jug,” noted Tom Wright, Director of Racing. “We have the opportunity to have three supplemental entries this year and with the additional purse money, the Jug purse could be close to $800,000.”

The filly companion event, the Jugette, has 83 eligible (up two from 2014).

The Old Oaken Bucket (3-year-old colt trot) has 56 eligible (up seven from 2014) and the Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) eligible horses are up 34.7 percent with 66.

The Delaware Grand Circuit meet will start on Sunday (Sept. 20) and run through Thursday (Sept. 24 — Jug Day). Monday action will feature a 3 p.m. post time.

The full list of the Delaware eligible horses are available on www.littlebrownjug.com.