USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Europe
UK / IRE
It took the photo finish camera to declare Lou’s Pearlman ($5.20) as the winner of the Triple Crown Little Brown Jug by a nose over Perfect Sting Thursday at the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio.
A true grit test for three-year-old pacing colts, the Little Brown Jug requires horses to race twice on the day. The final of the Little Brown Jug purse was $397,080.
The final race on the card saw race favorite and elimination winner Perfect Sting (David Miller) use his rail position to take the early lead with Lou’s Pearlman (Yannick Gingras) taking the two-hole trip as they went in starting order to the first quarter in :28.1.
Then at the half mile marker in :57.2, I’ll Drink To That (Tim Tetrick) started up first-over and that flushed Lou’s Pearlman and Gingras first-over.
As they raced down the backstretch, Lou’s Pearlman collared Perfect Sting and sat to his outside as Whichwaytothebeach (Andy McCarthy) came three-wide before the three-quarters in 1:25.1. They raced three-wide around the final turn.
Then in a classic stretch drive, Lou’s Pearlman, despite being parked out first-over the last half mile, fought tooth and nail against Perfect Sting, getting up by a nose at the finish in 1:52.4. Whichwaytothebeach was third.
For Lou’s Pearlman, the colt by Sweet Lou posted his seventh win of the year for trainer Ron Burke. He was bred and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Novak and Howard Taylor.
For driver Yannick Gingras, it was his third Little Brown Jug victory. For trainer Ron Burke, it was his third Little Brown Jug victory. Burke’s horse, Scarlett Hanover, won the Jugette on Wednesday.
LOU’S PEARLMAN
Lou’s Pearlman ($3.40) and Perfect Sting ($3.60) were at their best in capturing their respective $132,360 first heats of the Little Brown Jug for three-year-old pacing colts at Delaware, Ohio Thursday.
Leaving right to the front in the 16th race, Lou’s Pearlman and driver Yannick Gringras had to give way to Mysweetboymax (Aaron Merriman) and quarter moved to take command again after the first quarter in :28.1.
Lou’s Pearlman then cut fractions of :57.4 and 1:26 with a much determined first-over effort by Whichwaytothebeach (Andy McCarthy), who collared Lou’s Pearlman at the three-quarters and around the final turn.
In the stretch Lou’s Pearlman proved to be too tough, winning by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:56. Whichwaytothebeach was second with Mysweetboymax third and Town Gossip (Joe Bongiorno) third.
It was the fourth straight win for Lou’s Pearlman and his sixth triumph this season for trainer Ron Burke. The Sweet Lou colt is co-owned by Burke Racing, Dennis Owens and the Norman Rae Racing LLC.
LOU’S PEARLMAN REPLAY
Perfect Sting returned to winning form in the 17th race second heat of the Little Brown Jug.
Rockyroad Hanover (Dexter Dunn) was first on the lead from the rail with American Courage (Matt Kakaley) taking the two-hole spot to the opening quarter in :28.
As they came by the grandstand the first time, it was Perfect Sting and driver David Miller moving out first-over to go against Rockyroad Hanover to the half mile in :57.4.
The action heated up as Perfect Sting cleared to the lead with I’ll Drink To That (Tim Tetrick) challenging on the outside to the three-quarters in 1:25.4. Those two were neck and neck around the final turn and heading for home.
Battling down the stretch, David Miller asked for more from Perfect Sting and he got it as his colt went on to win by a half length in 1:54.1 with I’ll Drink To That a game second. Water Sports Teen (Joe Bongiorno) was third with Bayfield Beach (Yannick Gingras) fourth.
It was the fifth win this year for Perfect Sting, who is trained by Joe Holloway. The son of Always B Miki is owned and bred by Brittany Farms and Val D’Or Farms.
PERFECT STING REPLAY
The first four official finishers from each heat will return for the $397,080 Little Brown Jug Final in the 20th race.
When Dovescry ($2.80) and driver David Miller had no problems leading from start to finish in capturing the $116,500 Ms Versatility Final for older trotting mares.
Leaving from post four for driver David Miller, When Dovescry shot to the lead with Felicityshagwell S (Ake Svanstedt) grabbing the two-hole trip. Then When Dovesry cut fractions of :29, :59 and 1:27.2. Weslynn Quest (Joe Bongiorno) came first-over but broke stride in the backstretch. That set up Ab’sattitudeexpress (Yannick Gingras) first-over and they came after When Dovescry on the final turn.
Once they turned for home, When Dovescry sprinted away from the field to win by three lengths in 1:56.2. Ab’sattitudexpress was second with Felicityshagwell A third.
It was the sixth win this year for When Dovescry. The five-year-old mare by Muscle Hill is trained by Brett Pelling for owner John Lengacher of Grabill, IN.
WHEN DOVESCRY VIDEO
Undefeated Gulf Shores ($2.20) was the overwhelming 1/5 favorite in the $132,667 Ohio Breeders Championship and the two-year-old colt raced liked it.
It was a bulky field of 10 going to post in the 15th race, but Gulf Shores had drawn the rail and driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. made the most of it, leaving quickly at the start.
Sling Shock (Dan Noble) also left out of the gate and took the early lead away from Gulf Shores by the opening quarter mile in :28.2. But Wrenn came back quickly with Gulf Shores, quarter moving to take command again and never gave it up.
Cutting fractions of :57.3 to the half and 1:26.3 to the three-quarters, Gulf Shores stayed in command, winning by two lengths in 1:56.2 over Sling Shock and Vintage Cowboy (Matt Kakaley).
It was the sixth straight win for undefeated Gulf Shores (Downbytheseaside). He is trained by Brian Brown and co-owned by Country Club Acres, Diamond Creek Racing and the Wingfield Brothers.
GULF SHORES REPLAY
Old Oaken Bucket to Sunny Crockett
Andy Miller steered Sunny Crockett to a gate-to-wire victory in the $87,700 Old Oaken Bucket for three-year-old colt trotters.
The Father Patrick colt crossed the line a length ahead of Mon Amour (Tim Tetrick) and Swingforthefences (Peter Wrenn) in 1:58.2.
Julie Miller trained the winner for the Willow Oak Ranch and the Andy Miller Stable.
Standardbred Colt Trot to Fiftyfour K
Fiftyfour K (Yannick Gingras) was a popular winner in the $45,330 Standardbred two-year-old colt trot.
The Sebastian K colt defeated Just For Trix (Andy Miller) and Summit City Sonny (Joey Putnam) by three lengths in 2:02.2.
Fiftyfour K is owned by the Here’s To Us Stable and is trained by Ron Steck, who is based at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
“Cowboy’ Lassos Standardbred Field
Captain Cowboy (Yannick Gingras) won the $46,710 Standardbred for freshman colt pacers by 2 ½ lengths over Birthday (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) and Good Deal (Chris Page) in 1:57.1.
The Captaintreacherous colt won for the fourth time in six career starts for co-owner/trainer Ake Svanstedt and Little E Stable.
Winning Ticket and Lockbox Take OBC 3CT Splits
Winning Tinning (Aaron Merriman) continued his dominance over his divisional rivals thanks to a 4 ½ length score in 1:58.3 in the $100,868 (div) OBC for sophomore cot trotters.
The Triumphant Caviar colt remains undefeated in the state of Ohio and suffered just one defeat – a third place finish in the $479,135 Canadian Trotting Classic – this season.
Winning Ticket is co-owned by trainer Chris Beaver, Steven Zeehandelar, Tim Homan and Jim Burnett.
Lockbox (Chris Page) took the first $50,434 division in 2:00.4 over Double Down K (Yannick Gingras) and Ilikedecupcakes (Hugh Beaty).
The Wishing Stone gelding is trained by Ron Burke for the Burke Racing Stable, Purnel & Libby, J & T Silva Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.
3CP OBCs to Charlie May and Gallant Star
Gallant Star used a confident steer by Tim Tetrick and caught Laughagain Hanover (Dan Noble) in the stretch to take the first division of the $108,700 Ohio Breeders Championship for three-year-old colt pacers in 1:56.4.
The Well Said gelding won for the fourth straight time for Carl Howard, Larry Wills and Jeffrey Rector. He is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr.
Charlie May cruised to a 4 ¼ length score in 1:55.2 in the second $54,350 division over rival Heart Of Chewbacca (Dan Noble) and Cyclone Union Jack (David Miller).
Don Tiger owns the McArdle gelding. Steve Carter trains and Dexter Dunn picked up the catch drive from an ailing Brett Miller.
Upset in the Lady Pace
She Knows It All (Tim Tetrick) picked a good time to pick up her first win of the season in the $96,520 OBC for three-year-old filly pacers.
The Racing Hill lass went wide into the final turn and passed the tiring leaders to score in 1:55. She paid $30.40 to win.
Foulk Stables and Triple D Stables own the winner. Clarence Foulk trains She Knows It All, who now has two career wins, but earnings of $175,710.
For full race results, click here.
By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink
