Art Official, winner of the Cane Pace and a $45,000 supplemental entry, leads a field of 20 for the $551,225 Little Brown Jug to be held on Thursday, September 18 at the Delaware County (OH) Fairgrounds.
A winner of $1.3 million, Art Official and Ron Pierce drew the rail in the third $58,797 elimination and was made the 7-5 morning line choice. The son of Art Major owns a lifetime mark of 1:47 taken in the $1.1 Meadowlands Pace for owner Sawgrass Farms. Art Official's main competition, Santanna Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson), will start just outside of Art Official and will be the second choice at 5-2.
"You can't get much better than that (the rail)," noted Art Official's trainer Joe Seekman. "This is a really quality field. Nobody enters for fun when it costs $6,000 (entry fee). The colt has never been better. He is really, really sharp."
The first elimination will feature Badlands Nitro (Brian Sears). The son of Badlands Hanover has earned $1.2 million for John Celii and Teague, Inc. Badlands Nitro has scored nine seasonal victories in 13 starts and took his 1:50 mark at Pocono Downs in the $301,072 Max Hempt Final.
"Post three is better than six," commented Badlands Nitro's trainer George Teague, Jr. "Of course you always hope for the rail."
"He is perfect now and has been fresh and sound all season. He goes well on any size track," added Teague.
The second elimination is the most balanced field with Lonestar Legend (David Miller) and Atochia (Yannick Gingras) as the top two choices.
The top three finishers in each $58,797 elimination will return for the $264,589 second heat. If a horse does not win two heats, a $110,245 race-off will be held.
Here is the field for the 63rd Little Brown Jug:
First Elimination
1. Giddy Up Lucky (Paul MacKenzie) 8-1
2. Blueridge Hall (TBA) 10-1
3. Badlands Nitro (Brian Sears) 7-5
4. Shadow Play (David Miller) 5-2
5. On The Brink (Pat Lachance) 12-1
6. Lisfinny (Steve Condren) 6-1
Second Elimination
1. Lonestar Legend (David Miller) 5-2
2. Rudy Rednose (Brian Sears) 4-1
3. Upfront Hannahsboy (Tim Tetrick) 8-1
4. Atochia (Yannick Gingras) 7-2
5. Mystery Chase (Brian Sears) 6-1
6. Beeeyouuuuuu (Brad Hanners) 10-1
7. Deuce Seelster (John Campbell) 8-1
Third Elimination
1. Art Official (Ron Pierce) 7-5
2. Santanna Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson) 5-2
3. Goddesss Justin (Tim Tetrick) 10-1
4. Major General (Andy Miller) 8-1
5. Moon Beam (Yannick Gingras) 6-1
6. Blueridge Western (Dave Palone) 12-1
7. Dali (Luc Ouellette) 4-1
(Little Brown Jug)