In the fall of 2009, Ed Telle of Powel, Ohio purchased a yearling pacing colt by the name of Blank Canvas for $130,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Since then, Blank Canvas, who is now known as Big Bad John, has painted quite a picture

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“The first thing I did was change his name to Big Bad John after listening to a recording by Jimmy Dean,” Telle told the Little Brown Jug's publicity department. Now, two years later, Big Bad John has won 14 of 19 starts, $666,732 and is one of the favourites to win the Little Brown Jug this Thursday afternoon at the Delaware Ohio County Fair.

“I’m nervous and excited about racing in the Jug. Being from Central Ohio, we will have a lot of support from the locals. I just can’t wait [until] Thursday,” Telle said. “He has been a wonderful colt and trainer Ron Potter has done a great job with him.”

Potter is from Delaware and the colt’s driver, David Miller, is a native of Columbus.

Telle spent about a month studying the sales catalogue before going to Lexington. “Big Bad John was one of the yearlings I liked because of his pedigree. He is by Western Hanover and his full brother had a record of 1:49 with over $200,000 in earnings. Then, after seeing him, I decided he was my choice. There were other folks who apparently also liked him because I had to go to $130,000.”

Telle, who lives seven months in Florida, shipped Big Bad John to trainer Rod Allen in Ocala for the colt’s early training. In March of 2010, Telle sent him to Ron Potter at Delaware, OH.

Big Bad John’s owner has raced horses since 1981. “We had a training center in Canal Winchester and I worked with the horses. But, after a few years, I realized farm work wasn’t my cup of tea. That’s when we began using trainers.”

“Big Bad John seems to be in top form. He has won three of his last four starts. They are all nice colts in the Jug, but I believe we have a good chance.”

(With files from the Little Brown Jug)

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