by Jay Wolf, assistant publicity director, The Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Each week the Little Brown Jug will rank the Top 10 eligibles for the 63rd edition of the Triple Crown race on Thursday, September 18, 2008.

Week #5 – September 2, 2008

#1 (Last Week NR) – Art Official
Owners: Sawgrass Farms (IL)
Trainer: Joe Seekman
Driver: Ron Pierce
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $1,327,082, 1:47
“It’s official.” Art Official is now eligible for the Little Brown Jug after his win in the $392,850 Cane Pace Final at Freehold Raceway on September 1.

#2 (Last Week #1) – Somebeachsomewhere
Owners: Schooner Stables (NS)
Trainer: Brent MacGrath
Driver: Paul MacDonell
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $2,247,606, 1:48.3
Fans are still looking for the Meadowlands Pace rematch. Will Art Official’s entry into the Jug change the Beach’s plans? Next start will be in the Simcoe Stakes at Mohawk.

#3 (Last Week #2) – Badlands Nitro
Owners: John Celii (PA) and Teague Inc. (DE)
Trainer: George Teague
Driver: Brian Sears
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $1,418,389, 1:50f
A solid second in the Cane Pace Final. Sat in the pocket and took a shot at Art Official late in the race and came up a half-length short.

#4 (Last Week #3) – Shadow Play
Owners: Ian Moore (PEI), R.G. McGroup Ltd. (NB) and Serge Savard (PQ)
Trainer: Ian Moore
Driver: David Miller
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $365,555, 1:48.2f
Beaten by a nose in a conditioned event at Mohawk Racetrack on August 30.

#5 (Last Week #5) – Dali
Owners: Uncirculated Stable (ONT)
Trainer: Duane Marfisi
Driver: Ron Pierce, John Campbell
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $741,015, 1:50.2
Did not race last week. Next up is the C$132,326 Simcoe Stakes.

#6 (Last Week #9) – Moon Beam
Owners: Howard Schneider (NY)
Trainer: Eric Abbatiello
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $686,707, 1:51f
Challenged Art Official during the early portion of the Cane Pace Final. Held on to finish third, just 3-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

#7 (Last Week #7) – Santanna Blue Chip
Owners: Carl Jamieson (ONT), 1140545 Ontario Ltd. (ONT), Jeffrey Gillis (ONT) and George Arthur Stable (ONT)
Trainer: Carl Jamieson
Driver: Jody Jamieson
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $1,417,315, 1:51.1
Did not race last week. Next race is the C$130,326 Simcoe Stakes.

#8 (Last Week #5) – Major General
Owners: Brittany Farms (KY) and Reality Stable (KY)
Trainer: Ervin Miller
Driver: Andy Miller
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $190,418, 1:51.1
Forced to leave from post eight in the Cane Pace Final and was forced to race behind some dead cover. Finished sixth, timed in 1:52.2.

#9 (Last Week #10) – Hey Mister DJ
Owners: John Carver (IL)
Trainer: Ervin Miller
Driver: Brent Holland
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $68,250, 1:50.1
Set a new lifetime mark of 1:50.1 in his victory in the $48,000 Hayes Memorial at the Du Quoin State Fair on August 30.

#10 (Last Week #6) – Lis Deo
Owners: Classic Photo Stable (IL), MJG Racing Stable (NJ), Hill View Enterprises (NJ) and Louis Willinger (KY)
Trainer: Ervin Miller
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Lifetime Earnings and Mark: $205,061, 1:50.2
Could not overcome an outside post in the Cane Pace Final. Was never really a factor and finished seventh.

Dropped Out: #8 Mystery Chase

Upcoming Events:
September 6 – C$262,652 Simcoe Stakes (div.) (Moh)
September 6 – $80,000 Ohio Sire Stake Final (ScD)
September 7 – $150,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stake Final (Chst)