Artesian Wins $275,000 Berry's Creek Pace; Allamerican Captor Scores Despite Equipment Mishap

By Tom White
5/12/2003

Delaware, Ohio-Little Brown Jug hopefuls -Artesian and Allamerican Captor proved their mettle in weekend action at The Meadowlands and Lexington's  Red Mile. Longshot Artesian captured the $275,000 Berry's Creek Final in a career best 1:51.1 while Allamerican Captor made up 18 lengths to win his 2003 debut in 1:56.4. The 58th renewal of the $550,000-est. Little Brown Jug will be raced Thursday afternoon, September 18, at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair.

Artesian set a Berry's Creek record as the longest priced winner in the 15 year history of the stakes for 3-year-old pacers and returned $112.60, 24.40 and 3.80. Allamerican Captor, a 1-9 favorite, had to overcome an equipment mishap to win his 3YO debut. As the colt was coming out of the first turn, one of two quick catches, which attach the sulky to the harness, snapped loose and the sound startled the colt, causing him to jump offstride. Jim Meittinis, who was driving Allamerican Captor for the first time, said, "I was praying and I never let loose of his head."

Artisian, a son of Artiscape, just barely made the Final when he finished six lengths back in fifth, grabbing the final spot.  "It was a good trip," said Eric Ledford, who drove Artisian for the first time. Artisian stalked the favored Bouulder Creek the whole way and was able to win at the end over Jug eligible He Wants It All and Boulder Creek.

Artisian provided trainer Sam DePinto with his biggest win in his career. He selected the colt out of the 2001 Tattersalls Yearling Sale for $32,000 from the Peretti Farms consignment. Artisian was originally bought and owned by Donald Bruhn, who died last month. His nephew, Mark Wojciechowski of Columbus, NJ, oversaw the business and inherited all of Bruhn's horses. The winner's share of $137,500 lifted Artesian's career earnings to $240,860. At two, he won the Reynolds Stake at Pocono Downs, a leg of the New Jersey Sires Stakes at Freehold and the NJ Futurity, also at Freehold Raceway.

No Berry's Creek winner has gone on to win the Little Brown Jug. Mach Three won the 2002 race.

Allamerican Captor, who earned $236,105 and won  five major stakes at two for the late Brian Pinske, was purchased by David Rahal and A.I. Jacobson for $250,000 this past January at Tattersalls. The Jate Lobell colt, who was bred by Allamerican Harnessbreds,  is expected to race in the $100,000-est. Spring Championships in late June at The Red Mile.

Next up for Little Brown Jug contenders are Saturday's $45,000 eliminations for the  $175,000 Max Hempt Memorial at Pocono Downs and the first  $60,000 leg of the New Jersey Sires Stakes at The Meadowlands.