Jay Wolf’s top Little Brown Jug contenders

Delaware, OH – For the next five weeks, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director Jay Wolf will rank the top 10 horses eligible for the 80th edition of the Little Brown Jug (Grade 1) to be contested on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Top 10 Little Brown Jug Eligibles

Week #2 – August 12, 2025

1. (Last Week #2) Prince Hal Hanover (1:48.1f; $868,954)

Owners: Prince Hal Hanover Stable (ON)

Sire: Captaintreacherous

Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore

Driver: Todd McCarthy

2. (Last Week #1) Louprint (1:47.1s; $1,187,071)

Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Weaver Bruscemi (PA), Phillip Collura (PA) & Lawrence Karr (NJ)

Sire: Sweet Lou

Trainer: Ron Burke

Driver: Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

3. (Last Week #3) Captain Optimistic (1:48.1; $699,728)

Owners: 3 Brothers Stables (NY), Marvin Katz (ON) & Caviart Farms (VA)

Sire: Captaintreacherous

Trainer: Nancy Takter

Driver: Dexter Dunn

4. (Last Week #4) Papi’s Rocket (1:50.4f; $345,411)

Owner: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Weaver Bruscemi (PA), Knox Services (OH) & Slaughter Racing Stable (KY)

Sire: Papi Rob Hanover

Trainer: Ron Burke

Driver: Yannick Gingras

5. (Last Week #5) Lite Up The World (1:48.2s; $131,388)

Owners: Mac T. Nichol (ON) & Carol E. Nichol (ON)

Sire: American Ideal

Trainer: Tony Beaton

Drivers: James MacDonald

6. (Last Week #6) Papi’s Pistol (1:48s; $327,532)

Owner: Shannon DePinto (NJ), Chris Arvanitis (NJ), Anthony Perretti (NJ) & Brad Shackman (AB)

Sire: Papi Rob Hanover

Trainer: Sam De Pinto

Driver: David Miller

7. (Last Week #7) Thirsty Thursday (1:50.4f; $300,637)

Owner: Flying A Racing Stable (PA) & Chuck Pompey (PA)

Sire: Huntsville

Trainer: Hunter Oakes

Driver: Tyler Buter

8. (Last Week #9) Crack Shot (1:50.2s; $320,428)

Owner: Gregg McNair (ON), Dale Hunter (ON), Frank Brundle (ON) & George Kerr (ON)

Sire: Bettor’s Delight

Trainer: Gregg McNair

Driver: Doug McNair

9. (Last Week #8) Fallout (1:48.4; $647,180)

Owners: Robert LeBlanc (NY), Pryde Stables (ON) & Caviart Farms (VA)

Sire: Captaintreacherous

Trainer: Tony Alagna

Driver: Tim Tetrick

10. (Last Week #10) Ayeaye Captain Deo (1:49.2s; $177,544)

Owner: Gino Toscani (ON)

Sire: Captaintreacherous

Trainer: Garry Merner, Jr.

Driver: Todd McCarthy

Upcoming Events

August 16              Woodbine Mohawk Park                               Ontario Sire Stake Gold Leg

August 16              Eldorado Scioto Downs                                  Ohio Sire Stake Leg

August 16              Pocono Downs at Mohegan                         Max Hempt Memorials

August 17              Tioga Downs                                                      New York Sire Stake Leg

August 22              Harrah’s Hoosier Park                                     Indiana Sire Stakes Leg

August 24              Tioga Downs                                                      Empire Breeders

August 24              The Red Mile                                                      Kentucky Sire Stakes Leg

August 27              MGM Northfield Park                                     Ohio Sire Stakes Leg

August 30              Hollywood Casino at the Meadows          Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Leg

Supplement Information

Any three-year-old pacer not currently eligible for the 80th Little Brown Jug may, with a payment of $45,000, supplement to the 2025 Little Brown Jug. Supplemental entries are due by Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Those currently eligible must submit their entry by Monday, September 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Ticket Information

For ticket information, please visit LittleBrownJug.com/admission or call toll free 1-(800) DEL-FAIR.

by Jay Wolf, for the Little Brown Jug