The 81st Little Brown Jug Draws Eleven

The $650,000 Little Brown Jug (Grade 1) drew eleven entries forcing two eliminations on Thursday (Sept. 24) at the Delaware County Fair.

Three millionaire pacers – Melillo, Fragment and Al Papi – and the season’s fastest sophomore pacer in North America – Redland Rocket Man – headline a talented field for the 81st pacing classic.

The second elimination features Melillo (Post 4) and the supplemental entry Redland Rocket Man (Post 5).

Melillo (driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) comes into the Jug off a victory in the $300,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final (Sept. 6) and has $1 million in career earnings.

His only previous start on a half-mile track was a victorious one in the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial (Grade 2) at Northfield Park Racino (Aug. 15).

The homebred son of Sweet Lou is trained by Ron Burke for the Burke Racing Stable, Jason Melillo and Weaver Bruscemi.

Redland Rocket Man (driver Jody Jamieson) is the fastest three-year-old this season based on his 1:46.4 effort in the $100,800 Simcoe Stakes (Grade 3) at Woodbine Mohawk Park (Sept. 12).

The Bulldog Hanover – Granny Hanover gelding has earned $377,020 for the partnership of Murray Cox, Gary Volpe and trainer John Pentland.

In the first $50,000 elim, Al Papi (driver Yannick Gingras) will leave from post #2.

The Papi Rob Hanover – Baron Remy colt was the winner of the $420,500 Adios Pace (Grade 1) at The Meadows (July 25) in 1:48.1.

Al Papi is owned by Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel-Libby, Larry Karr & Weaver Bruscemi.

Leaving from post #3 is Toast Of The Town (driver Jason Bartlett), a $45,000 supplemental entry, is on a three-race win streak.

The Sweet Lou colt has earned $246,117 for the quartet of Let It Ride Stables, Morrison Racing Stables, Jesmeral Stable and Alberg Racing. Noel Daley is the trainer.

The Little Brown Jug is presented by the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association.

Race #15 – $50,000 First Elimination
PP – Horse (Listed Driver/Trainer)
1 – Frantic Hanover (Tim Tetrick/Ron Burke)
2 – Al Papi (Yannick Gingras/Ron Burke)
3 – Toast Of The Town (Jason Bartlett/Noel Daley)
4 – Thai Hanover (Dexter Dunn/Mitchell York)
5 – Treacherous Lou (Tim Tetrick/Robert Cleary)
6 – No Waitlist (Doug McNair/Blake MacIntosh)

Race #16 – $50,000 Second Elimination
PP – Horse (Listed Driver/Trainer)
1 – Hunting Glory (Ridge Warren/Robert Cleary)
2 – Watch Em Win (Tim Tetrick/Ron Burke)
3 – Fragment (Jason Bartlett/Petter Engblom)
4 – Melillo (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr./Ron Burke)
5 – Redland Rocket Man (Jody Jamieson/John Pentland)

Race #19 – $550,000 Second Heat
First four finishers from Races #15 and #16

Photos:
Melillo (Diane Wise Photo) winning the $300,000 Milstein Memorial (Grade 2)

Al Papi (Chris Gooden Photo) winning an elimination of the Adios Pace.