Delaware, OH — Moment Is Here, Ken Hanover, and Cannibal captured the $50,000 eliminations for Thursday’s Little Brown Jug to lead a field of nine to the $850,000 final later today at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in central Ohio.

Ken Hanover paced the fastest mile in Jug history in the second elimination, getting past favorite Seven Colors by a half-length in 1:48.4. Seven Colors began a first-over march from fourth approaching the half-mile point and took the lead going around the last turn but was unable to hold off the Roland Mallar-trained Ken Hanover and driver David Miller off their second-over trip. Thunder Hunter Joe, the pacesetter, finished third.

In the first elimination, Moment Is Here and driver Tim Tetrick went straight to the front from post five and never looked back to win by 3-1/2 lengths. The Bob McIntosh-trained gelding set fractions of :26, :54, and 1:22.1 in his 1:50.1 victory. Hungry Angel Boy finished second and Blue Hunt was third to also advance to the final.

Cannibal and driver Yannick Gingras won the third elimination in 1:49.1 for trainer Nancy Takter after taking the lead at the quarter-mile point. It’s My Show finished second and Redwood Hanover was third. Stockade Seelster, who was 7-2 on the morning line, was scratched.

Below is the field, in post position order, for the $850,000 final:

1. Moment Is Here, Tim Tetrick, Bob McIntosh
2. Ken Hanover, David Miller, Roland Mallar
3. Cannibal, Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter
4. Seven Colors, Dexter Dunn, Andrew Harris
5. It’s My Show, Scott Zeron, Linda Toscano
6. Hungry Angel Boy, Todd McCarthy, Tony Alagna
7. Blue Hunt, Andrew McCarthy, Deborah Daguet
8. Redwood Hanover, James MacDonald, Anthony Beaton
9. Thunder Hunter Joe, Jordan Stratton, Nicholas DeVita