by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — The 2010 Little Brown Jug Fantasy Contest is now open.

Contestants age 18 and over can play for free and can win any of 50 prizes, topped by a package that includes box seats for the 2011 Jug, admission to the Hospitality Pavilion, three nights at the Sheraton Suites, a $250 betting voucher, a ride in the starting gate, a chance to join the Jug trophy presentation and more.

Details, including the complete rules governing play, may be found online at www.jugbarn.com.

Players select 10 horses from the list of those eligible to the 2010 Little Brown Jug that can be found online at www.littlebrownjug.com, and also select two drivers and two trainers.

Before each of the major races leading up to the Jug, shown below, players “activate” five horses who will earn points based upon their finishes in positions one through five in each of these races. Horses and drivers and trainers can also be dropped and added to and from stables during two “supplemental draft” periods during the coming summer.

Here is the schedule of races and draft periods for the 2010 Little Brown Jug Fantasy Stable contest:

Date – Race – Track
May 29 – Hoosier Cup – Hoosier Park
June 12 – Burlington Stakes – Mohawk Racetrack
June 12 – Art Rooney Final – Yonkers Raceway
June 19 – North America Cup Eliminations – Mohawk Racetrack
June 26 – North America Cup Final – Mohawk Racetrack
July 10 – Meadowlands Pace Eliminations – the Meadowlands
July 17 – Meadowlands Pace Final – the Meadowlands
July 19 to 23 – First Supplemental Draft Period
July 24 – Adios Eliminations – The Meadows
July 31 – Adios Final – The Meadows
Aug. 7 – Oliver Wendell Holmes – the Meadowlands
Aug. 15 – Confederation Cup – Flamboro Downs
Aug. 22 – The $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine – Harrah’s Chester
Aug. 28 – Cane Pace Eliminations – Freehold Raceway
Sept. 6 – Cane Pace Final – Freehold Raceway
Sept. 11 – Simcoe Stakes – Mohawk Racetrack
Sept. 13 to 17 – Second Supplemental Draft Period
Sept. 23 – Little Brown Jug Eliminations – Delaware, Ohio
Sept. 23 – Little Brown Jug Final – Delaware, Ohio

Prior to the first race in this year’s Little Brown Jug Fantasy Contest, the Hoosier Cup, to be raced on Saturday, May 29, at Hoosier Park, players must select their 10 horses, two drivers and two trainers not later than 10 a.m., eastern time.

Updated point standings will be posted at www.jugbarn.com during the weeks leading up to the 65th Little Brown Jug.

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.