“We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of the grooms in harness racing for your hard work and dedication because you truly help make our sport a great family tradition.”

Quite often the happiest individual in the Little Brown Jug winner’s circle is the caretaker, the individual that spends countless hours preparing their athletes. This year the winning caretaker will have an extra thousand reasons to celebrate.

Fazoli’s, America’s largest quick-service Italian restaurant chain, would like to recognize some of the hardest working, and maybe sometimes the least appreciated people in our business, by awarding the winning caretaker of this year’s Little Brown Jug on September 18 with a $1,000 bonus.

“The grooms get some of the toughest jobs like cleaning out a stall, bathing a horse and just general labour that can be very demanding. I know as a horse owner, I cannot thank my grooms enough,” noted Carl T. Howard, president and CEO of Fazoli's. “We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of the grooms in harness racing for your hard work and dedication because you truly help make our sport a great family tradition.”

The bonus cheque will be in addition to the personalized wristwatch traditionally presented by the Little Brown Jug Society.

“The Little Brown Jug Society cannot thank Fazoli’s enough for their contribution to the LBJ and the sport’s participants,” added Phil Terry, director of marketing for the Little Brown Jug. “I’m sure that this generous award will be greatly appreciated by the winner.”

Fazoli’s is also the presenting sponsor of the Little Brown Jug and the national telecast of the pacing classic on CBS Sports Network (5:00 – 6:30 p.m. EDT) on Thursday, September 18.

(With files from the Little Brown Jug)