by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — The first race in this year’s Little Brown Jug Fantasy Contest is Saturday’s Hoosier Cup Final at Hoosier Park. If you want to start earning points from the start your deadline is 10 a.m. on May 29.

Just go to www.jugbarn.com to create your own stable of 10 horses and to select your five starters for Saturday’s Hoosier Cup Final.

You must activate five horses from your 10-horse stable for each contest race. Only horses that are given “active” status will be eligible to earn points. Players collect points if their horses are among the top five finishers in each race. You must also select two trainers and two drivers.

You will be able to replace up to two horses in your stable, along with one trainer and driver, during each of two supplemental draft periods.

Jugbarn.com is a joint venture between the Delaware County Fair and the U.S. Trotting Association and the contest is sponsored in part by Youbet.com, the U.S. Trotting Association/Harness Tracks of America members benefits program, and Jim Winske’s Embroidery, Ltd.

Updated point standings will be posted at www.jugbarn.com during the weeks leading up to the 65th Little Brown Jug to be raced September 23 at the Delaware, Ohio County Fairgrounds.

Recent action among Jug eligibles

Fred And Ginger captured the $300,000 Max Hempt Memorial in 1:49.4 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Fred And Ginger also won a Hempt elim the week before and finished second to Rock N Roll Heaven on May 8 at the Meadowlands in the $220,000 Berry’s Creek Final.

Malicious and Dr Dreamy captured eliminations of the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs. Malicious defeated Jug eligibles Jo Pa’s Fod and Windfall Blue Chip in his elim. Both miles were in 1:51.3.

Ideal Matters and Shoobee’s Place won divisions of the New Jersey Sires Stakes at the Meadowlands. Shoobee’s Place defeated Foreign Officer, Rockin Image and All Speed Hanover in 1:49.2. This was All Speed Hanover’s first start of the season. Ideal Matters, who earlier this year won the Matt’s Scooter Final, was timed in 1:49.4.