In the current edition of Rewind, Robert Smith takes readers on a trip back to 1981. With Little Brown Jug week nearing, he recalls some highlights from that year's Little Brown Jug and the star of the annual classic. Fan Hanover stole the show that year, but quite a few other happenings also filled the day.
Fan Hanover appears on the front cover of the official LBJ program to commemorate her famous victory in 1981 as the only filly to ever win the race in its very long history.
Fan Hanover and driver Glen Garnsey at the 1981 LBJ.
A Few Facts, Figures and From The 1981 Jug
While the highlight of the 1981 LBJ will undoubtedly be the one (and so far) only victory by a mare, there were a few other happenings that were a bit out of the ordinary for the annual affair at Delaware back on Sept. 24, 1981.
A news release the following day read rather humorously and certainly not like most wrap-ups of a very important harness race. While everyone knows that harness racing can at times be very hazardous for the participants, it is usually rather orderly and "played by the rules." That's why a number of watchful judges are involved along with several electronic surveillance aids.
The write-up read as follows:
"It was supposed to be the running of the 36th annual Little Brown Jug, one of the jewels of the 3-year-old pacing's Triple Crown. It turned out to be a combination demolition derby and a boxing match, and it was won by a lady --- Fan Hanover, the first filly ever to win the prestigious race."
In summary, two of the three heats were marred by multiple accidents, and seven of the nineteen entrants failed to finish because of the spills. Both mishaps occurred on the backstretch of the Delaware fairgrounds half-mile track. In the first heat, the accident wiped out three horses, including the heavily favoured Landslide, a previously unbeaten colt.
In the second pile-up, half of the field was eliminated when four horses went down, leaving just four left in competition. In this unplanned event, at least two of the affected drivers were apparently not too seriously injured. Those two were Ben Webster, pilot of Seahawk Hanover, and James Marohn, handling Wildwood Jeb.
Shortly after the accident happened, drivers Webster and Marohn clashed on the track in the backstretch. In Marohn's version of the encounter, he said, "I was just rolling over and trying to catch my horse when Webster came over and started punching me." A third party, not involved in the fracas, was Archie McNeill of Halifax, the driver of Landslide.
He was quite amused by it all and said laughingly, "I don't know who started it, but they went at it pretty good. They were swinging a lot, but not landing any punches." Later in the paddock, a lady involved in the ownership of Seahawk Hanover and Marohn engaged in a shouting match.
Once order was restored, the judges convened and assessed penalties to both pugilists. Webster was fined $50.00 for assault, while Marohn was suspended 10 days for careless driving.
Apparently, Marohn blamed Webster for causing the accident, which also eliminated Freedom Fella and Slapstick from the race. In the first-heat accident, apparently no tempers flared, but driver John Campbell (just 26 at the time), the driver of Armbro Wolf, was sent to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, the nature of his injuries was described as "bumps and bruises," and thus not considered to be too serious.
In the race that sent the young Campbell away, a driver immediately took full blame for causing that accident. That fellow was none other than Herve Filion, driver of Eastern Skipper, who was seeking his third Jug victory. He said, "I caused it all. My horse never skips or looks at anything, but he did today." He theorized that a lost scalper (foot equipment) lying on the track spooked his horse.
He further stated, "My horse went down and came back up, but Armbro Wolf (John Campbell) came on top of me and then Landslide went down. I feel so very bad because I caused it all." Seahawk Hanover went on to win it all in 1:56. In the other race, the eventual winner Fan Hanover avoided any traffic problems and won in the shortened field.
A Recap Of The Victory By Fan Hanover
Fan Hanover appears with friends and family. From left are Chas. Armstrong, Pat, Mrs. Glen Brown, Dr. Glen Brown, owner, Odell Short, groom, Fan Hanover and driver Glen Garnsey.
On Jug Day 1981, a colt named Landslide came into the big encounter unbeaten in his career. He was unraced at two despite his price tag of $290,000 as a yearling, but this day seemed to be his for the taking. In the first elimination, Landslide, as the scribes of the day described, "fell quite literally from the ranks of the undefeated." Involved in a backstretch accident, he was one of three horses that did not finish as Seahawk Hanover glided to victory.
In the second elimination, Fan Hanover prevailed over what may have been considered the weaker division, but she was still much the best. The stage was now set.
In the second heat, Seahawk Hanover with the rail was made the favourite at 4-5, while Fan Hanover was rated at 2-1. In a remarkable instance of déjà vu, another backstretch accident took out half the field, including Seahawk Hanover. Garnsey and Fan Hanover skirted the fracas of falling horses and tangled sulkies and paced their way into the history books as the only female winner of the Delaware classic. Now, 45 years later, she retains that title.
In every respect, Fan Hanover was in a class by herself. She provided her owner with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was unique in that this was Dr. Brown's only entrant in the Little Brown Jug, despite a career in the sport that dated back in some format for probably 70 years. It is still one great story.
Quote For The Week: "She's the best filly of all time, because she raced and beat the best colts of her age. She's got so much determination, you can't believe it." - Words from Glen Garnsey about Fan Hanover on Jug Day 1981.
Who Is It?
Can you name this smiling fellow? He won his first career race at the Delaware County Fair at the age of 14 but did not ever win the Jug, which came along many years later. His biggest career win came when he won the Messenger Stake, defeating Bye Bye Byrd among other notables.
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify this fellow? He did not win the Jug, but he did a lot of other things related to our beloved sport.
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)