by Tom White, publicity director, The Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Well Said (9/5) and Johnny Z (4-1) are solid early favorites in the first of three future wagering pools for the 2009 Little Brown Jug.

“With the exception of those two horses it appears we have a very balanced field of 3-year-olds. I hope they will stay healthy and that they will come to the Little Brown Jug,” said Phil Terry, general manager and director of marketing for the Delaware County Fair.

Well Said, owned by Jeff Snyder and Susan Grange, is six for seven this season with victories in the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace and in one of last Friday’s three Adios Pace eliminations at The Meadows. Steve Elliott trains the son of Western Hanover and Ron Pierce is his driver.

Johnny Z, the surprising second choice, has four victories in 11 starts this season including the Max Hempt Final and a division of the Reynolds Memorial, both at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Brenda and George Teague, Jr. are the trainers. The Teagues also train Mr Wiggles (22-1), winner of the Hoosier Cup and an elimination of last week’s Adios Pace.

The third Adios Pace elimination winner, If I Can Dream (10-1), is the third choice in the first of the three Jug Future wagering pools. If I Can Dream is trained by Tracy Brainard and has a triumph in the Art Rooney Final to his credit this season.

The field, which includes all other 3-year-old pacers, closed at 13-1. Last year’s little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play was included in the field for the first Future Wagering Pool and paid $22.20.

The first future pool closed Sunday after four days of betting action at racetracks and internet sites throughout North America. The second future wagering pool is from August 27 through August 30, the week before the Cane Pace Final. The third future pool opens at 12 p.m. Sunday, September 20, through 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, the first of four afternoons of Grand Circuit racing at the Delaware County Fair.

Jug Future Pool No. 1
No.-Name-Opening Odds-Closing Odds
1. Annieswesterncard–15 to 1–25 to 1
2. Art Colony–4 to 1–25 to 1
3. Carnivore–15 to 1–23 to 1
4. Chasin Racin–10 to 1–30 to 1
5. Dial Or Nodial–9 to 2–25 to 1
6. Fireintheshark–25 to 1–25 to 1
7. Ideal Danny –8 to 1–35 to 1
8. If I Can Dream–6 to 1–10 to 1
9. Johnny Z–15 to 1–4 to 1
10. Keep It Real–12 to 1–13 to 1
11. Mr Wiggles–8 to 1–18 to 1
12. Panmunjom–30 to 1–70 to 1
13. Passmaster Hanover–12 to 1–35 to 1
14. Precious Medal–50 to 1–90 to 1
15. River Shark–12 to 1–90 to 1
16. Rusty’s All In–20 to 1–25 to 1
17. Schoolkids–12 to 1–90 to 1
18. Straight Shooting–20 to 1–99 to 1
19. Vertical Horizon–50 to 1–90 to 1
20. Vertigo Hanover–30 to 1–70 to 1
21. Vintage Master–10 to 1–25 to 1
22. Waffles And Cream–20 to 1–99 to 1
23. Well Said –2 to 1–9 to 5
24. Field–10 to 1–13 to 1