HARNESS RACING AT ITS BEST

By Tom White

It is unlikely that the inaugural of any other race in history was ever so spectacular. Everything seemed perfect. The event was well organized, the track was fast, a large purse was up for grabs, the weather was ideal and the field of top three-year-old pacers gave the huge crowd its money's worth an more!

When race day in 1946 finally arrived, parking areas were full by mid-morning. They had come to Delaware, Ohio from throughout the midwest, from Canada and Florida, from New York and California and from just about everywhere in between. Unofficial gate estimates put the swarm of Little Brown Jug® enthusiasts at 27,000.

The race was a classic. It took four grueling heats to determine the first Jug champion, with two colts and one filly competing in the final showdown. When it was over, Ensign Hanover was the winner after a long bitter fight to the finish. The now traditional wreath of roses was bestowed upon the winning horse and Ohio Governor Frank Lausche made the presentation. Young Curly Smart of Delaware drove the winner.

The founding of the Jug began in 1937 when the Delaware County Agricultural Society's members moved the fairgrounds from Powell to Delaware on a tract of land at the northern edge of the city.

Delaware attorney Joe Neville, whose family had been identified with the Standardbred sport for many years, directed much of the effort in building the fair grounds and the track. He enlisted the aid of his lifelong friend Henry C. "Hank" Thomson, managing editor of the Delaware Gazette, who became the fair's first race secretary.

From the very beginning, the steeply banked Delaware track, built by Rollie McNamara, was fast and well liked by horsemen and fans. Neville had campaigned horses on the Grand Circuit and was familiar with its officers and stewards. He was successful in obtaining Grand Circuit dates for the new Delaware track.

Neville was also concerned by the sport's emphasis on the trotter so he turned his efforts toward showcasing the pacers, particularly the 3-year-olds. In January of 1944 Neville and Thomson announced a new event for three-year-old pacers which would have a purse comparable to that of the Hambletonian, a rich race for three-year-old trotters that had been conducted since 1926. Foals of 1944 would be nominated for the new event, the first of which would be held in 1946. The race was named through a newspaper contest.

The Little Brown Jug® has attained great success in part because it annually brings the best of the harness racing sport, both human and equine, to the intimate setting of a county fair in America's heartland.

To walk through the backstretch at Delaware is a unique experience. There are few opportunities in harness racing , or at any other major sporting events, where the general public can get as close to the top stars of the sport as one can at Delaware. You can see and greet North America's leading trainers, drivers and owners as you stroll the historic backstretch, step into the new log cabin, or check out the Jug contenders in the spectacular Little Brown Jug® Horse Barn.

In 2002 Million Dollar Cam became the fastest Jug winner of them all...turning the saucer-shaped oval in 1:50.2.

Tom Thomson succeeded his father as president and treasurer of the Little Brown Jug Society and Director of Racing for the Delaware County Fair®. Tom Wright is race secretary and vice-president of the Society, and Gary Must is secretary-manager of the Delaware County Fair®.

For more information keep checking this web site! We will be updating stories and features from now through Jug Week!