Ferrari, Johnson share GLADA glory

Delaware, Ohio…September 15, 2024…Little Brown Jug week kicked off at the fabled Delaware, Ohio Fairgrounds with the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) joining the festivities with a a pair of trotting events on the Sunday 17 race harness racing program.

Victorious in the GLADA events were Larry Ferrari and Christina Johnson, each scoring decisive wins in their respective events.

Ferrari gave Lmc Mass Gem (Muscle Mass) picture perfect handling over the famed Delaware, Ohio half-mile oval to score a handy two length victory on 1:58 over Fiesta Sam, handled by Matthew Brown. Devan Miller overcame the outside eight post—a difficult task there—to get Lucius Vorenus home third.

Lauren Harmon was next with My Uncle Cuz while Harrison Le Van picked up the nickel after cutting all the numbers—28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.2 before succumbing turning for home.

In a post race interview, winning driver Larry Ferrari explained, “This horse was sure appropriately named today because he certainly was a gem to drive.

“The rail helped today, of course as he was away alertly and then he responded once they straightened away.

“But the real thrill was winning over the Delaware, Ohio oval, as famous as it is. The feeling coming back to the winner’s circle here was as great as the time I won the Centennial Championship in Italy two years ago.

“Yes, I had goosebumps and chills!”

Trained by Bill Rhoades for the Brian and Ira Wallach Racing Stable, the 10-year-old gelding won for the 30th time in a career stretching 209 starts. The gelding just eclipsed the $400,000 mark in lifetime earnings.

The winner paid $4.40 to his multitude of faithful and sent Larry Ferrari’s lifetime win total to 388, not including wins across the waters.

Christina Johnson, started her journey with Nothingbutadreamer (Muscle Mass) from the outside post—in this case number five after a trio of scratches—and settled into fourth as Wild And Crazy Guy set wild and crazy fractions of :26.4, :55.3 and 1:24.4 while in a war with Dude Included.

Pulling on the Delaware, Ohio backside the final time, Nothingbutadreamer circled around his foes and went on to score a seven length win in 1:55.1.

MJ’s libertyvalance was second for Lukas Harper while Muscles For Life was next with Lauren Harmon handling the lines. The pacesetting Wild And Crazy Guy was fourth for Braiden Rhoades while Dude Included picked up the final award for Croatian Pacheco.

After the race, Johnson lamented, “You never know what is going to happen in any race but, fortunately, those early fractions were sizzlers and that set things up for my horse.

“All I did was chirp once and he made me look real good! That’s about it.”

Owned and trained by Betty Clegg, the four-year-old gelding sent his 2024 scorecard to 4-2-1 in 19 starts, good for $31,132 this semester and $146,883 lifetime.

Christina Johnson, by the way, sports a UDRS of .435 this year with a 7-5-2 scorecard in 24 starts.

The winner was third choice in the wagering and paid $9.00 to win.

Steve Oldford, picking up a catch-drive in the Tim Fouts Memorial at the Delaware, Ohio Fairgrounds, took advantage of the opportunity and won this yearly memorial event with JK’s Champ (IK Endofanera), covering the mile in 1:54.4.

The six-year-old gelding took command from Manny, handled by Todd Whitney, and held that one safe by a neck on the wire.

Salty Robyn N was third for Lee Morris, 3 1/2 lengths away,. While Buck Rogers, driven by Larry Ferrari, was fourth. Big Bad Whamo, driven by John MunGillo, picked up the nickel after overcoming the outside post in the sextet.

Oldford sent his six-year-old gelding off the gate with alacrity from the five post and battled with Manny throughout the opening panel before securing th top spot during a sizzling opening panel over the “Jug” half-mile oval—:26.3.

Once on top, JK’s Champ was unrelenting through fractions of :55.4 and 1:25.2 with Manny bumping the leading driver’s helmet looking for a bit of room to roam…but it didn’t happen as Jk’s Champ WAS the champ this day in 1:54.4

After the race, Oldford said, “I only picked up the catch-drive when the named driver had a health issue and I was asked if I would drive.

“Of course, I said ‘yes’ as I always think of Delaware, Ohio track is one of those hallowed racetracks that has a special meaning to many of us…including our amateur clubs around the U.S.A.

As to the race, itself, that was a bit of a tussle getting to the top and Todd (Whitney) had plenty of horse behind me and wanted me to move over…but my horse went straight to the wire…and the winner’s circle!”

The win was the second of the year for JK’s Champ, trained by Walter Haynes, Jr. for Robert Rodrigues, and sent his lifetime earnings to $213,961—$22,590 this semester.

Oldford went on to say, “This is my fourth win in the Tim Fouts Memorial and this race means a lot to all of us—ME, in particular.

“Just putting a horse’s nose on the gate here is special…just like The Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, The Red Mile, Goshen, you know, these are hallowed tracks and we are so honored to be able to participate at venues like this.

“These are historic tracks and adds so much joy to be a participant as an amateur driver as we donate all of our driving fees for charitable causes.”

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Berry, for GLADA