by Jay Wolf, assistant publicity director, the Little Brown Jug
Delaware, OH — For the next few weeks the Little Brown Jug’s Assistant Publicity Director Jay Wolf will feature the top LBJ contenders for the 66th edition on September 22.
1. Roll With Joe
Owners: Blue Chip Bloodstock (NY), Stephen Demeter (NY), Not To Worry Stable (NY) and Winbak Farms (MD)
Trainer: Ed Hart–Driver: Ron Pierce
Lifetime Earnings: $1,125,457–Lifetime Mark: 1:48.2
Was used hard in the $102,750 Oliver Wendell Holmes on August 6. This colt was near the lead for the entire mile until he yielded to Shadyshark Hanover and finished third in 1:47.4.
2. Big Bad John
Owner: Winchester Baye Acres, Inc. (FL)
Trainer: Ron Potter–Drivers: David Miller and Brett Miller
Lifetime Earnings: $508,732–Lifetime Mark: 1:49
He won the second division of the Oliver Wendell Holmes in a lifetime best 1:49. “He was back to his old self,” noted Potter. Big Bad John is looking to become the first horse since Barberry Spur to win the Standardbred (2CP) and LBJ.
3. Custard The Dragon
Owners: George Teague Jr. Inc. (DE), Fannin Racing LLC (DE), Ted Gewertz (NY) and Robert Feldman (FL)
Trainer: George Teague, Jr.–Driver: Montrell Teague
Lifetime Earnings: $701,667–Lifetime Mark: 1:48.1f
Second place finish in the $500,000 Adios Pace Final on July 30.
4. High Noon
Owners: Christina Takter (NJ), John Fielding (ON), Falkbolagen Ab (NJ) and Riverview Farms (NJ)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter–Driver: Ron Pierce
Lifetime Earnings: $327,062–Lifetime Mark: 1:50.4
This late-blooming son of Western Ideal won the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final on August 13 at the Meadowlands.
5. See You At Peelers
Owners: Christina Takter (NJ), John Fielding (ON) and Jim Fielding (ON)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter–Driver: Marcus Johansson
Lifetime Earnings: $1,310,952–Lifetime Mark: 1:49.2f
This filly is a perfect 21 for 21. She was scratched out of the New York State Fair Stakes on August 13 due to poor track conditions. “Over the winter we talked about racing the colts in the Jug, but we are taking things one week at a time,” noted Jimmy Takter.
6. Big Jim
Owner: James Carr (ON)
Trainer: James “Friday” Dean–Driver: Phil Hudon
Lifetime Earnings: $1,541,924–Lifetime Mark: 1:49.1s
Looking to rebound after a pair a disappointing starts, eighth in the $175,000 NJSS Final and sixth in the $102,750 Oliver Wendell Holmes.
7. Shadyshark Hanover
Owner: Shadyshark Stable (IL)
Trainer: Erv Miller–Driver: Jim Morrill, Jr.
Lifetime Earnings: $668,251–Lifetime Mark: 1:47.4
This son of Cam’s Card Shark became the season’s fastest 3-year-old colt pacer with his victory in 1:47.4 in the $102,750 Oliver Wendell Holmes on August 6.
8. Up The Credit
Owners: Carl Jamieson (ON), Thomas Kyron (ON), Brian Paquet (QC) and Joanne Morrison (ON)
Trainer: Carl Jamieson–Driver: Jody Jamieson
Lifetime Earnings: $1,005,680–Lifetime Mark: 1:49s
Up The Credit has struggled of late. He finished third in the elimination and ninth in the Confederation Cup final at Flamboro Downs on August 14.
9. Powerful Mist
Owner: Legacy Racing of DE Inc. (DE), Niel Gargiulo (DE) and Louie Paglierani (FL)
Trainer: Wayne Givens–Drivers: Andy Miller and Dave Palone
Lifetime Earnings: $494,997–Lifetime Mark: 1:50.2f
This $27,000 yearling purchase has cashed a check in five of the past six races.
10. Foreclosure N
Owners: Richard J. and Joanne Young (FL)
Trainer: Kevin O’Reilly–Driver: Randy Waples
Lifetime Earnings: $474,110–Lifetime Mark: 1:51.1s
The son of Rocknroll Hanover was recently sold and was moved to the O’Reilly barn. The new connections are hoping that he regains his 2-year-old form.
Odds and Ends
More hospitality options in 2011
The Delaware County Fair has expanded its preferred seating options with the addition of the Backstretch Hospitality Tent on Jugette and Jug Day. Due to the success of the LBJ Pavilion and the “Tack Shack,” the fair was looking for additional options and removed the backstretch bleachers near the Log Cabin. Admission to the Backstretch Tent will be $85 per day or $150 for both days. Admission includes food, drinks, a betting voucher and easy betting access. For more information, please contact the Delaware County Fair at 800.335-3247 or visit www.littlebrownjug.com.
Campbell streaking?
John Campbell participated in his record 29th straight Hambletonian this year. Campbell also owns the LBJ’s longest streak with 30 straight Jug appearances. Campbell’s first Jug start earned him a trip to Grady Memorial Hospital when Armbro Wolf fell in the first elimination in 1981. The Wall of Famer has won three Jug titles with Merger (1982), Life Sign (1993) and Nick’s Fantasy (1995).
Trivia Time
The last time the World Driving Championship was contested in the United States (1995), the final two heats were held at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. The event was won by the USA’s Dave Magee. Who represented Canada in the 1995 World Driving Championship? The answer will appear next week.