(Photo courtesy: Little Brown Jug)
The 76th running of the Little Brown Jug will take place at the Delaware County Fair on Thursday. Thirteen 3-year-old pacers will face-off in two elimination races with the top four finishers taking part in the Final. The Little Brown Jug with a $397,080 purse will be the main event on the 20-race card that begins at 12:00 EST at the fastest half-mile track in the world.
Race 16-Little Brown Jug Elimination #1-Purse $132,360
1-Borntobeshameless (9/2)-Ohio bred entry from the Christi Noble stable that will be driven by husband Dan is the only 3-year-old in either elimination that didn't race at two. The son of Big Bad John has three wins in 15 starts this year, with a 151.3 mark at Northfield and is a winner of two straight.
2-Lou's Pearlman (2-1)-Trainer Ron Burke will be seeking his third Jug victory with this son of Sweet Lou. Driver Yannick Gingras will take the lines and will also be looking to capture his third Jug Final. The morning line choice has 10 victories in 23 lifetime starts and is riding a three-race winning streak. Has banked over $245,000 this year with a 147.4 mark at the Big M. Should move on to the Final and will be well-backed.
3-Simon Says Hanover (12-1)-Trainer Tony Alagna will be looking for consecutive Jug victories with this son of Captaintreacherous. Regular driver Scott Zeron will be in the sulky, and he won the Jug in 2012 with Michael's Power. This longshot has half-mile track experience, but recent form has been dull.
4-Mysweetboymax (6-1)-Conditioner Sam De Pinto and pilot Aaron Merriman will be trying for their first Jug win. This son of Sweet Lou has hit the board in 9 of 14 starts this year earning $159,502 but has taken only one picture.
5-Whichwaytothebeach (3-1)-Winner in 11 of 20 races has notched an impressive seven wins this year and will by driven by Andrew McCarthy. Conditioner Brett Pelling trains the second morning line favorite and will be looking to capture his fourth Little Brown Jug. Pelling's current total of three is two shy of the record held by the great Billy Haughton. This 3-year-old is the model of consistency hitting the board in 19 of 20 lifetime starts.
6-Always A Miki (10-1)-Winner of over $331,000 as a freshman has fallen off this year earning only $54,571 in 11 starts. Dexter Dunn is usually between the pipes and will be driving in the elimination. Dunn as well as trainer Nancy Takter are looking for their first Jug win.
7-Town Gossip (8/1)-Trained by Jennifer Bongiorno this son of American ideal will be driven by her brother Joe, who won the 2020 Jug with Captain Barbossa. This 3-year-old comes off a second-place finish in the New York Sires stakes final and has five wins in 13 starts this year. The Jenn B barn has posted 31% winners over the last 30 days.
Race 17-Little Brown Jug Elimination #2-Purse $132,360
1-Rockyroad Hanover (7/2)-Lightly raced 2-year-old has caught fire as a sophomore capturing four wins and earning over $333,000 this season. As usual Dexter Dunn will steer this Tony Alagna trainee who has a 148.1 mark at the Meadowlands in 2021. Comes off a fifth-place finish in the North America Cup after being used hard from post 9.
2-American Courage (6-1)-This son of American Ideal was eligible for a $45,000 supplemental entry after winning the $500,000 Messenger Pace at Yonkers over a sloppy track. Trainer Travis Alexander has two Jugette wins on his resume, and this will be his first swing at the Brown Jug. Regular pilot Matt Kakaley will be doing the steering and looking to improve off two recent fourth place finishes.
3-Ill Drink To That (4-1)-Chris Ryder pupil has done its best work on the half-mile track at Yonkers and comes off a New York Sires Stakes Final win on 9-10. Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick will be in the bike and the Jug is one of only a few prestigious races he hasn't won. This black American Ideal colt has won two straight and will be looking to give Ryder his first trip to the winner's circle in the Jug Final.
4-Water Sports Teen (8-1)-Winner of less than $9,400 as a 2-year-old has improved versus top competition since joining the Jenn Bongiorno barn in early July. Recent form has been a bit dull. But this son of Somebeachsomewhere has earned over $180,000 this year with 8 wins in 20 starts.
5-Bayfield Beach (12-1)-Winner of over $260,000 as a freshman has switched trainers a few times in what has been a very disappointing year and has only been in the Ron Burke barn for two starts. This longshot will need to find some better form against top 3-year-olds to qualify for the Jug Final and driver Yannick Gingras will be looking to provide a boost.
6-Perfect Sting (2-1)-This Joe Holloway trainee was a perfect 10 for 10 as a 2-year-old and has banked $651,633 as a sophomore. Regular pilot David Miller will steer the champion who ranks second in 3-year-old earnings for this year. Although not taking a picture in a big race in 2021 this colt hasn't been more than one length from a win in the last five near misses.
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