by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Starting in 2012, for the 67th Little Brown Jug, the maximum number of starters will be 24. This is a reduction from the current limit of 30 starters.

Beginning in 2012, if more than 24 horses declare in to start, the field will be limited to the 24 horses with the highest lifetime earnings.

“The 24 limit rule puts everybody on the gate,” said Phil Terry, general manager of the Delaware County Fair. “We have been dealing with complaints in the past from trainers and owners whose horses were forced to start from the second tier.”

For 2010 and 2011, officials will be able to be much more flexible in splitting the race into eliminations. In a situation like the one that occurred in 2009, when 19 horses were entered, the judges will be able to split the race into three eliminations of six, six and seven rather than the ten and nine horse fields of last year.

The estimated purse for the 2010 Little Brown Jug is $650,000. The 65th Jug will be raced on Thursday afternoon, September 23.

For the latest news and information about the Little Brown Jug, as well as all other information about the Delaware Grand Circuit racing, click on the new Little Brown Jug website at www.littlebrownjug.com.