Louprint proved he was one of the sport’s best after winning the 80th edition of the Grade 1 Little Brown Jug, presented by the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Thursday evening (September 18).

When the field of eight was sent on their way in the $500,000 final, Louprint protected his rail position and was able to set the pace with first half fractional times of :27.3 and :56.2.

Captain Optimistic (Scott Zeron) was first to come to the outside as the field went by the grandstand for the first time and applied steady pressure past the three-quarters in 1:23.4.

The pocket-sitting Odds On Outlier (Dexter Dunn) found late racing room, but thanks to a :26.2 last quarter, he could not make up any ground finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind Louprint in second, Captain Optimistic held on for third.

The homebred is co-owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Phillip Collura and Larry Karr.

The Sweet Lou colt came into the Jug undefeated on the season, despite missing time mid-summer to recover from a surgery.

Louprint’s game efforts gave Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. his first Jug driving title. Trainer Ron Burke now has hoisted the Jug trophy five times – one behind William Haughton for the all-time mark.

“This horse is capable of anything that I ask him to do he responds…He’s a true professional,” said Wrenn. “It’s a special moment. I am trying to soak it all in.”

“He’s moved into maybe the greatest horse that I have ever trained. He has no holes in his game,” added Bruke. “I can’t wait to see him as a sire. Right now, I just want to enjoy it and race him to the end of the year and try to get him in as many races as I can.”

Louprint is now nine-for-nine on the season and is 16-for-19 during his career. His $275,000 payday pushes his career earnings to $1.6 million.

In the first elimination, Wrenn patiently waited for the early dust to settle and grabbed control of the field of seven out of post #5 and cruise to a 1:50.3 victory in gate-to-wire fashion.

The pocket sitting and stablemate Papi’s Rocket (Yannick Gingras) was 2 lengths back in second. A hard charging No Tresspassing (Scott Zeron) was third and Extra Suds (Dexter Dunn) finished in the last advancing spot.

Odds On Outlier (Dexter Dunn) was used hard early but cleared to the lead before the quarter-pole and coasted home in the second $50,000 elimination in 1:49.3.

Captain Optimistic (Scott Zeron) was 3 ¼ lengths behind the winner. Lou’s Starr (Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Snack Attack (Jason Bartlett) completed the top four and advanced to the rich final.

Odds On Outlier is trained by Melanie Wrenn for owner Odds On Racing. 

 

Brad Conrad Photos