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

Delaware, OH — Each week Jay Wolf, Assistant Publicity Director of the Little Brown Jug, will rank the Top 10 eligibles for the 64th edition of the pacing classic, to be raced on Thursday, September 24.

Week #4 – August 12, 2009

#1 (Last Week #1) Well Said
Owners: Jeffrey Snyder (NY) and Lothlorien (Ont)
Trainer: Steve Elliott
Driver: Ron Pierce
Career Mark: 1:47.3
Career Earnings: $1,905,127
Did not race last week. Next up is the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine. Ron Pierce noted, “We just went to the well one too many times there (at the Adios). But for that kind of money, it’s hard not to. I’m sure with the extra week off it will help him…I’m sure if he wasn’t sharp and on his toes, Stevie (Elliott) wouldn’t take him (to Chester).”

#2 (Last Week #2) Mr Wiggles
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Drivers: Corey Callahan and Jim Morrill, Jr.
Career Mark: 1:49.1f
Career Earnings: $742,787
Did not race last week. Drew post position four for the Battle of the Brandywine on August 16.

#3 (Last Week #3) Vintage Master
Owners: Brittany Farms (KY) and Brian Monieson Trust (IL)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Daniel Dube
Career Mark: 1:49.2f
Career Earnings: $913,022
Took the week off after his upset victory in the $677,665 Adios Pace Final. “I said a month ago that one of these days (Vintage Master) was going to win one of these big ones,” trainer Jimmy Takter said. “The caliber of races he’s been in, those are tough to win.” Will have the outside post (eight) in the Battle of the Brandywine.

#4 (Last Week #4) If I Can Dream
Owner: Bulletproof Enterprises (FL)
Trainer: Tracy Brainard
Driver: George Brennan
Career Mark: 1:49.4f
Career Earnings: $681,858
Enjoyed his rest from the off week. He will now head to Flamboro Downs for the two-heat Confederation Cup XXXIII on August 16.

#5 (Last Week #5) Chasin Racin
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Driver: David Miller
Career Mark: 1:51.1
Career Earnings: $375,209
Will have the number two starting position in the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine.

#6 (Last Week #7) Passmaster Hanover
Owners: Jeffrey Snyder (NY) and Brittany Farms (KY)
Trainer: Blair Burgess
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Career Mark: 1:50.2
Career Earnings: $301,689
Finished fourth in the $228,500 Oliver Wendell Holmes on Hambo Day. It was his first start in nearly a month. Next up is the C$660,000 Confederation Cup.

#7 (Last Week #6) Keep It Real
Owner: Wayne Eric Whebby (NS)
Trainer: Joey Shea
Drivers: Steve Condren and Brian Sears
Career Mark: 1:50.2s
Career Earnings: $264,525
Did not race last week.

#8 (Last Week #8) Ideal Danny
Owner: D R Van Witzenburg (IL)
Trainers: Tony Alagna and Erv Miller
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Career Mark: 1:50.4
Career Earnings: $311,609
This homebred son of Western Ideal will race in the $200,000 Battle of the Brandywine consolation.

#9 (Last Week #9) Johnny Z
Owners: Elmer Fannin (DE) and George Teague, Jr. Inc. (DE)
Trainers: Brenda and George Teague, Jr.
Drivers: Jim Morrill, Jr. and Brian Sears
Career Mark: 1:51.1f
Career Earnings: $237,307
Took the last few weeks off. Drew the rail for the Battle of the Brandywine.

#10 (Last Week #10) Fireintheshark
Owners: Arlene and Jules Siegel (PA)
Trainer: Jim Campbell
Drivers: George Brennan and Daniel Dube
Career Mark: 1:50.2f
Career Earnings: $328,337
Hampered by an outside post in the Oliver Wendell Holmes at the Meadowlands, finishing seventh. Drew inside (post three) for the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine.