Top Jug Contenders – Week #1

Delaware, OH — For the next six weeks, Little Brown Jug publicity director Jay Wolf will rank the top 10 horses eligible for the 80th edition of the Grade 1 Little Brown Jug, to be contested on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Top 10 Little Brown Jug Eligibles

Week #1 – August 6, 2025

1. Louprint (1:47.1s; $1,187,071)
   Owners: Burke Racing Stable (Pa.), Weaver Bruscemi (Pa.), Phillip Collura (Pa.) and Lawrence Karr (N.J.)
   Trainer: Ron Burke
   Driver: Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
2. Prince Hal Hanover (1:48.1f; $718,954)
   Owner: Prince Hal Hanover Stable (Ont.)
   Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore
   Driver: Todd McCarthy
3. Captain Optimistic (1:48.1; $699,728)
   Owners: 3 Brothers Stables (N.Y.), Marvin Katz (Ont.) and Caviart Farms (Va.)
   Trainer: Nancy Takter
   Driver: Dexter Dunn
4. Papi’s Rocket (1:50.4f; $345,411)
   Owners: Burke Racing Stable (Pa.), Weaver Bruscemi (Pa.), Knox Services (Ohio) and Slaughter Racing Stable (Ky.)
   Trainer: Ron Burke
   Driver: Yannick Gingras
5. Lite Up The World (1:48.2s; $131,388)
   Owners: Mac T. and Carol E. Nichol (Ont.)
   Trainer: Tony Beaton
   Drivers: James MacDonald
6. Papi’s Pistol (1:48s; $327,532)
   Owners: Shannon DePinto (N.J.), Chris Arvanitis (N.J.), Anthony Perretti (N.J.) and Brad Shackman (Alb.)
   Trainer: Sam DePinto
   Driver: David Miller
7. Thirsty Thursday (1:50.4f; $300,637)
   Owners: Flying A Racing Stable (Pa.) and Chuck Pompey (Pa.)
   Trainer: Hunter Oakes
   Driver: Tyler Buter
8. Fallout (1:48.4; $647,180)
   Owners: Robert LeBlanc (N.Y.), Pryde Stables (Ont.) and Caviart Farms (Va.)
   Trainer: Tony Alagna
   Driver: Tim Tetrick
9. Crack Shot (1:50.2s; $300,428)
   Owners: Gregg McNair (Ont.), Dale Hunter (Ont.), Frank Brundle (Ont.) and George Kerr (Ont.)
   Trainer: Gregg McNair
   Driver: Doug McNair
10. Ayeaye Captain Deo (1:49.2s; $177,544)
    Owner: Gino Toscani (Ont.)
    Trainer: Garry Merner Jr.
    Driver: Todd McCarthy

Upcoming Events

• Aug. 6 – Indiana State Fair – Horseman Stake
• Aug. 8 – MGM Yonkers Raceway – New York Sire Stakes Leg
• Aug. 9 – MGM Northfield Park – Carl Milstein Memorial (G2)
• Aug. 12 – The Red Mile – Kentucky Sire Stakes Leg
• Aug. 16 – Woodbine Mohawk Park – Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Leg
• Aug. 16 – Eldorado Scioto Downs – Ohio Sires Stakes Leg
• Aug. 16 – Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania – Max Hempt Memorial (G2)
• Aug. 17 – Tioga Downs – New York Sire Stakes Leg