Lou’s Pearlman, Perfect Sting win Little Brown Jug heats

Lou’s Pearlman ($3.40) and Perfect Sting ($3.60) were at their best in capturing their respective $132,360 first harness racing heats of the Little Brown Jug for three-year-old pacing colts at Delaware, Ohio Thursday.

Leaving right to the front in the 16^th 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 17^th 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 20^th race.

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 15^th 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, a colt by Downbytheseashore. He is trained by Brian Brown and co-owned by Country Club Acres, Diamond Creek Racing and the Wingfield Brothers.

GULF SHORES REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink