The Little Brown Jug

Jug Society Takes Strong Stand On Embryo Transplants;
Eligibility, Purse Changes Approved For Future Years

By Tom White
September 17, 2002

Delaware, Ohio--The directors of the Little Brown Jug Society voted today

to strongly support the existing U.S. Trotting Association rule on multiple

foals by the process of embryo transplant (Rule 26, section 26 B) which

allows only one foal, the first born, to be eligible for registration. "I

think this is the strongest thing we did today at our annual meeting," said

Society President-Treasurer Tom Thomson.

The current USTA rule allows only twins to be registered. Under the

current USTA rule, only the first foal of a mare may be nominated to the

Little Brown Jug.

The Little Brown Jug Society directors, meeting at the Brown Jug

Restaurant, also approved some important changes in stakes conditions for the

Little Brown Jug beginning with the May 15, 2003 printed conditions. The

first change approved would allow a horse that wins both the North America

Cup and The Meadowlands Pace, but who is not eligible to the Little Brown

Jug, to supplement to the Jug for a fee of $45,000. "This would give a horse

the opportunity to win the Grand Slam million dollar bonus in the same way

that a horse who wins the first leg of the Triple Crown (Cane Pace) can be

supplemented into the Jug for $45,000," said Thomson. These Little Brown Jug

conditions will be in effect for the Year 2005.

Jug Society directors also approved a change in the Little Brown Jug

purse distribution conditions that will prevent a horse who wins the second

heat to earn more of the total purse than the Jug champion. Under the old

rules, third place finisher George Scooter earned more than Astreos in 2000,

and in 1999, Looking For Art grabbed more of the total purse than champion

Blissful Hall. Both George Scooter and Looking For Art won the second heat.

Under the new distribution system, 20 percent of the total purse will be

set aside for the Jug champion. Forty percent of the remaining funds will be

allocated to the three eliminations and the remaining 60 percent to the

Second Heat. Under the old formula only 10 percent of the total purse was set

aside for the winner.

In deference to the family of late Jug Society Director Dr. Frank Todd of

Delaware, his directorship will remain open until the fall meeting in 2003.

Dr. Todd, who died August 28, had given many years of service to the Little

Brown Jug, harness racing and to the community of Delaware.