By Tom White
September 21st, 2000

Delaware, Ohio--Astreos staved off an early bid by pre-race favorite Gallo Blue Chip to win the race-off in Thursday's $547,972 Little Brown Jug. A crowd of 51,910 turned out to see the ninth race-off in the history of the Delaware Classic.

"I think I've been to heaven," said driver Chris Christoforou. "I wasn't going to concede victory to anyone. If Gallo Blue Chip was going to beat me he'll have to do a lot of work."

Astreos earned his way into the raceoff of the 55th Little Brown Jug by winning the first elimination in 1:54.4 over The Blue Pan Group and By A Length. Gallo Blue Chip, an almost prohibitive favorite, took the second elim in 1:51.4 over Egloff and George Scooter. Profita captured the third elimination in 1:55 over Powerful Toy and KF Pro Sam.

George Scooter shocked the crowd of 51,910 with his second triumph and paid a Little Brown Jug record win mutuel of $114.80. With Luc Ouellette in the sulky, George Scooter defeated Profita and Astreos in 1:54 as Gallo Blue Chip finished a badly beaten seventh.

Astreos, a son of Artsplace owned by Makis Chrysomilas, Chris Christoforou and Banjo Farms, gave trainer Brett Pelling his third Jug victory. "I thought he looked good coming onto the track for the raceoff. Three times the charm for me here at Delaware."

In the raceoff Astreos took the lead from the start and set fractions of :28, :58.4, 1:27.3 with the final time of 1:55.3 equalling Blissfull Hall's race-off clocking of 1999. The raceoff was also the ninth in Jug history. In the raceoff Gallo Blue Chip , George Scooter and Profita.

First Elimination

Chris Christoforou (Astreos) -- Worked out about as perfect as it could. I wanted to let them do what they wanted in front of me thru the first turn. I was concentrating on Walter Case (dri ving The Blue Pan Grou) in the first turn and just tried to stay with him. Once we got to the front I could make my own fractions from there. These were almost perfect fractions, and I got off with a moderate time. Its a little bit windy--hard to judge and rate. That might be a problem for the others. I think my horse is still fresh. What Gallo Blue Chip does in his elimination will probably make it tough on everybody else.... If they don't go much that could really hurt. The Jug is what it is all about. (he was asked about being the favorite)--being 1 to 5 gives you a lot of confidence.

Walter Case, Jr. (The Blue Pan Group)--I got out behind what I thought were the 2 best horses and sat on the pole. When Ricky (Silverman with By A Length) gave me room I went. I just wanted to qualify the horse. I knew I couldn't beat Astreos, but I wanted to get him in the final.

Second Elimination

Daniel Dube (Gallo blue chip)-- about possible misstep early...dube said "I know, he's OK." asked about the 1:51.4 mile "as long as he's good its good for him to be woke up. he likes to race and he's always stronger the next race outl even if he doesn't look good...he is good.

Any post is fine with us. Post position doesn't bother us.

John Campbell (Egloff)--he was asked about backing off in the stretch "I knew I couldn't get him so I just backed off. It isn't a question of 2 heats, its a question of common sense. There was no sense in beating up the horse. Asked about faster second heat: that will be minimal. post position will be a bigger factor.

Third Elimination

John Campbell (Profita)he goes to the wire good. I'll drive Egloff in the final because he's a little handier.

Ouellette: Powerful Toy: I got to the lead like I wanted to and the race went as I planned until the stretch. It was very weak on his finish. we hope there is nothing wrong with him. Maybe he just had a bad race.

Second Heat

daniel Dube: I tried to get to the top and couldn't. (Dube held his hands about one foot apart and said, "I was this close to getting to the top."

Pierce: My horse felt like he had a lot of pace coming into the stretch and the rest were out of gas. I just had to get by Mike Lachance (driving Profita). Next heat mine should be tightger...and the others more tired.

Lachance: the race worked to my advantage. I was 4th at the rail. at the top of the stretch I knew we had a chance. He feels like he's got something left. He's usually hot, but today, he seems more relaxed.

Third Heat (Raceoff)

Chris Chrisoforou: i think i've been to heaven. I wasn't going to concede victory to anyone. if gallo blue chip was going to beat me he's have to do a lot of work.

Brett Pelling: i thought he lookedgood coming onto the track for the raceoff. three times the charm for me here at delaware. he's going to lexington to race and we may supplement him the second week in the tattersalls.

Dube: i was locked in the 3 hole, could't get our or up in the last quarter. i tried to challenge him and decided to come back in.

Pierce: i wouldn't change anything about the Little Brown Jug (talking about 3 heats). i wish i could have kept the hole closed. but my horse just wouldn't get up. no one has ever won 3 in a arow. I guess i just have to start a new streak.