by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug
Delaware, OH — In the fall of 2009, Ed Telle of Powell, Ohio, purchased the yearling pacing colt Blank Canvas for $130,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
“The first thing I did was change his name to Big Bad John after listening to a recording by Jimmy Dean,” said Telle.
USTA/Ed Keys photo
Big Bad John sold for $130,000 as a yearling under the name Blank Canvas.
Now, two years later, Big Bad John has won 14 of 19 starts, banked $668,732 and is one of the favorites to win the Little Brown Jug on Thursday afternoon (September 22) at the Delaware County Fair.
“I’m nervous and excited about racing in the Jug. Being from Central Ohio, we will have a lot of support from the locals. I just can’t wait until Thursday,” Telle said. “He has been a wonderful colt and trainer Ron Potter has done a great job with him.”
Potter is from Delaware and the colt’s driver David Miller is a native of Columbus.
Telle spent about a month studying the sales catalog before going to Lexington.
“Big Bad John was one of the yearlings I liked because of his pedigree. He is by Western Hanover and his full brother (Tiz A Masterpiece) had a record of 1:49 with over $200,000 in earnings. Then, after seeing him, I decided he was my choice. There were other folks who apparently also liked him because I had to go to $130,000.”
Telle, who lives seven months in Florida, shipped Big Bad John to trainer Rod Allen in Ocala for the colt’s early training. In March of 2010, Telle sent him to Ron Potter at Delaware.
Big Bad John’s owner has raced horses since 1981.
“We had a training center in Canal Winchester and I worked with the horses. But, after a few years, I realized farm work wasn’t my cup of tea. That’s when we began using trainers.
“Big Bad John seems to be in top form. He has won three of his last four starts. They are all nice colts in the Jug, but I believe we have a good chance.”
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