Only five points separate two Canadians as the Jug Fantasy Contest nears its climax with the racing of the 63rd Little Brown Jug on Thursday, September 18 at the Delaware, Ohio County Fairgrounds.

Brian Edwards of Summerside, PEI, leads Larry Ruznisky of Prince Albert, SK 2,107 to 2,102 after 17 scheduled contest races leading up to the $600,000 (estimated) Little Brown Jug.

Heading into the Jug the two leaders have similar 10-horse stables. The only difference is Edwards has Hey Mister D and Shadow Play while Ruznisky has Beeeyouuuuuu and Upfront Hannahsboy. All contestants have until 10:00 a.m. on Jug Day morning to activate five horses. The deadline to enter the Little Brown Jug is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13.

All contestants created their own stable of 10 three-year-old pacers plus a trainer and a driver. Entrants then activated five horses from their stable before each of the 17 scheduled races. Only horses that are on 'active' status are eligible to score points. After a race has been completed, players can again change the active status of the horses in their stable.

Each stable was awarded points based on the finish of its 'active' horses. Each winner received 50 points with second place getting 25 points, third place 12 points, fourth place 8 points and fifth place 5 points.

The winner of the final and deciding heat of the Little Brown Jug will be awarded 250 points.

Canadians hold the top four places in the standings heading into next week's Little Brown Jug. Representing the United States are players from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Alabama and Delaware. The ages range from 28 to 67 and two of the top 14 are women.

Among the leaders is James Guagliado of Pittson, Pennsylvania and John Boll lll of Endicott, New York, who were deadlocked in first place at the halfway point in the contest. Guagliado, who trails the leader by 94 points, is the 2007 Jug Fantasy Contest defending champion.

There was no entry fee to play. Valuable prizes will be awarded to the leaders. The first place prize is a 42-inch flat screen Toshiba TV, two tickets in the Hospitality Pavilion for the 2009 Jugette and Jug Day, and two nights lodging in the Columbus Sheraton Suites.

The second place prize is a $500 wagering voucher, two Hospitality Pavilion tickets to the 2009 Jugette and Jug and two nights lodging in the Columbus Sheraton Suites.

Other prizes include a Toshiba laptop computer, stadium and grandstand tickets to the 2009 Jug, $100 Office Depot gift cards and souvenir shirts and hats.

The U.S. Trotting Association--Harness Tracks of America members benefit program and Jim Winske's Embroidery, Ltd. provided the prizes.

Jug Barn Fantasy Stable Leader Board

Points -- Player -- Location -- Stable Name
2,107 -- Brian Edwards -- Summerside, PEI -- eddielee
2,102 -- Larry Ruznisky -- Prince Albert, SK -- unclar
2,058 -- Barry Pon -- Edmonton, AB -- barpon
2,044 -- Jeff Crawford -- Woodstock, ON -- jeffc
2,016 -- Mike Iannone -- Carteret, NJ -- mikey1
2,013 -- James Guagliardo -- Pittston, PA -- eharness
1,988 -- James Lynch -- Whitehall, OH -- buxsfan1
1,971 -- Michael Notarius -- Clarence, NY -- first_over
1,936 -- Kim Lever -- North York, ON -- mamaschimmy1
1,925 -- Ken Spencer -- Jacksonville, AL -- tobemory
1,923 -- Cathy Sutherland -- Sunderland, ON -- Southemrock
1,923 -- Scott Warren -- Harrington, DE -- grinfrombeertobeer
1,916 -- John Boll III -- Endicott, NY -- boomboom
1,911 -- Charles Vreeland -- Bronx, NY -- niatross-fever

(Little Brown Jug)