A win by Arctic Warrior in the $325,000 Cane Pace on Labor Day at Freehold Raceway would be more than a victory. It would be trainer Sam Beegle's ticket

to the Little Brown Jug.

Beegle's Wahoo Stable-bred Arctic Warrior has won nine of 24 career starts and earned $397,453. Last weekend, the gelding was second to If I Can Dream in the single elimination race to advance to the Cane Pace final. Wahoo Stable shares ownership of Arctic Warrior with Paul Eyerly, Carl Vizzi and James Novinger.

Arctic Warrior was not eligible to the Cane Pace, so Beegle paid $35,000 to supplement the horse to the event. While doing so, he had his eyes on the Little Brown Jug. Arctic Warrior also was not eligible to the Jug, and the only way a horse can supplement to the race is by winning the Cane Pace.

The Cane Pace is the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown; the Little Brown Jug, which will be September 24 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio, is the second.

"I wouldn't have done this if I couldn't go into the Jug," Beegle said. "I might never be able to do this again. This is the first time I've ever been in this position. I bred this colt; I figured I've got to take a shot."

If I Can Dream won the $108,300 Cane Pace elim in 1:51.4 over a track labeled sloppy. Arctic Warrior was one length behind.

"My colt is not the greatest on an off track and I thought he raced very admirably," Beegle said. "That colt that beat him is a very good colt."

Hail Storm, Western Posse, Clear Vision and Johnny Z also advanced from the elim and joined Vintage Master and Mr Wiggles, who received byes, in the final. Barber Pole and Fireintheshark, who had broken equipment, failed to advance. The draw for the Cane Pace will be Thursday.

Vintage Master won the Delvin Miller Adios, was second in the Meadowlands Pace and third in the Battle of the Brandywine. He has won two of 14 races and earned $876,806 this season - the second-highest amount among three-year-old male pacers. Vintage Master is trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Dan Dube.

Mr Wiggles prior to the Cane Pace elim was third in earnings, with $747,137. Trained by George Teague Jr. and driven by Corey Callahan, he has won seven of 14 starts this year including the Hoosier Cup. He was second to Vintage Master in the Adios.

"He's raced kind of hard all year," said Teague assistant Clyde Francis. "We'll use the bye to freshen him up a bit. The layoff should help him a lot. Going those types of miles week in and week out is hard on a horse. It takes a toll. It's hard to keep one fresh and on his toes."

Johnny Z, who was sixth in the Cane Pace elim, thereby grabbing the last spot in the final, also is from the Teague Stable.

"He didn't really show up," Francis said. "We'll go home and regroup. Hopefully, he can come back better next week."

In the elim, If I Can Dream, driven by Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Tracy Brainard, battled Arctic Warrior through an opening quarter of :26.4 before taking the lead at the half, which was reached in :55.4. The final time was one second off Art Official's track record for a three-year-old pacer.

"I was hoping I didn't have to go that much to the first quarter because it was just an elimination, but the little horse did it easy," Morrill said. "I don't think it hurt him. He had some left."

If I Can Dream won the Confederation Cup and Art Rooney Pace earlier this year, both around half-mile ovals like Freehold. He has won seven of 13 races this season and earned $806,468.

(Harness Racing Communications)