By Tom White
2/24/05

Voting is underway to choose the most popular Little Brown Jug winner of the past 59 years. In the same poll, being conducted by the U.S. Trotting Association on its web site (www.ustrotting.com), voters are also being asked to name their favorite all-time Jug race.

The idea of the voting came from LBJ Director of Marketing Phil Terry. "We wanted our fans to participate in the 60th anniversary of the Little Brown Jug and what better way than to have them choose their all-time Jug favorites."

The 60th anniversary project started back in December when a select panel of trainers, drivers, owners, breeders, officials, media representatives and fans were asked to pick their favorite horse and race from each of the past six decades. The response was overwhelming as 72 voters completed their ballots. Eight members of the select poll are members of harness racing's Hall of Fame and a ninth is the widow of a Hall of Famer.

The 72 voters included seven trainers or drivers, six owners or breeders, 27 members of the media, 11 track officials and 21 fans of the race.

For those of you who have not yet voted, here is a sampling from the panel. The voting deadline is Tuesday, March 8th.

Gene Riegle picked Tar Heel, Bret Hanover, Most Happy Fella, Niatross, Life Sign and Timesareachanging. Martha Riegle added, "I would have to say that Life Sign was the greatest. We thought when John (Campbell) pulled him in the back stretch, he would not get home. What a surprise and a blessing for Gene." (Gene Riegle trained Life Sign).

Stanley Dancer picked two of his own four Jug winners, Henry T. Adios and Keystone Ore. He also selected Albatross who finished second to Nansemond in the 1971 Jug. Dancer also tabbed Adios Harry, Beach Towel and Western Dreamer.

John Campbell's picks included Life Sign, Romeo Hanover, Adios Harry, Bret Hanover, Niatross and Bettor's Delight. Howard Beissinger named Tar Heel, Overtrick, Most Happy Fella, Governor Skipper, Life Sign and Bettor's Delight. John Simpson, Jr. selected Bullett Hanover (trained by his father) along with Tar Heel, Best Of All, Fan Hanover, Precious Bunny and No Pan Intended.

Jug announcer Roger Huston's favorite horses were Good Time, Adios Butler, Strike Out, Fan Hanover, Magical Mike and No Pan Intended. Roger's top races were 1946 (Ensign Hanover), 1965 (Bret Hanover), 1971 (Nansemond), 1981 (Fan Hanover), 1991 (Precious Bunny) and 2000 (Astreos).

Harness Tracks of America's Stan Bergstein selected Good Time, Bret Hanover, Strike Out, Niatross, Life Sign and No Pan Intended as his favorite horses. He pegged 1951 (Tar Heel), 1964 (Vicar Hanover), 1973 (Melvin's Woe), 1980 (Niatross), 1993 (Life Sign) and 2001 (Bettor's Delight) as his best remembered Jugs. John Cashman, former president of Castleton Farm, tabbed Dudley Hanover, Bret Hanover, Best Of All, Niatross, Precious Bunny and Bettor's Delight as his favorite winners. John's favorite races were 1954 (Adios Harry), 1965 (Bret Hanover), 1970 (Most Happy Fella), 1980 (Niatross), 1993 (Life Sign) and 2001 (Bettor's Delight).

Dorothy Haughton went with Jug winners who were either trained or driven by her late husband Billy Haughton or her sons Tommy and Peter. "Quick Chief (1955), was my first LBJ. I'll never forget it." Next was Vicar Hanover (1964), "Just had a great time after a great race." Then came Laverne Hanover (1969),"He behaved on the right day." Next was Nihilator (1985), "And they thought he couldn't go around a half-mile track." Dottie's final pick was Magical Mike (1994), "Tom's horse won on Peter's Birthday."

Ralph Jones, Jr., longtime turf writer for the Harness Horse, has seen all but the 1946 Little Brown Jug. Ralph's favorite horses were Good Time, Overtrick, Columbia George, Niatross, Barberry Spur and Gallo Blue Chip. His top races were 1948 (Knight Dream), 1965 (Bret Hanover), 1967 (Best Of All), 1981 (Fan Hanover), 1993 (Life Sign) and 2000 (Astreos).