SC Rewind: Little Brown Jug Memories

This week's Rewind is in keeping with the racing calendar as Robert Smith adopts a "Little Brown Jug" theme as we close out this year's Jug week in Delaware, Ohio.  

Fifty-three years ago in 1971,  the Little Brown Jug had just entered its fourth Decade and that year's race was the 26th on record.  With each passing year it seemed to grow in stature within the racing world and it was certainly the most famous of pacing events for three-year-olds. Fans made plans to attend a year in advance, and even young aspiring trainers dreamed of the time they might be a participant on this annual day. In 1971 a still teen aged Bob McIntosh, who recently passed away, attended his first ever Jug as a spectator.

That year's race was to become one of the most memorable of all time; perhaps not so much because of who won it but more likely because of who DIDN'T win it!! The entire world of racing had entered into a two-year love affair with a horse called Albatross, also at times known as "The Big Bird."  He had done just about everything he had been asked to do and more.  There was no reason in the world short of a miracle that would prevent him from winning the 1971 Little Brown Jug. 

He was so dominant and such a "sure thing" that the Delaware track officials barred him from the betting. YES, you could not place a bet on the sport's favourite horse!!

Nansemond (1) and 31-year-old Herve Filion head to victory in the 1971 Little Brown Jug, Second is Albatross (2) Stanley Dancer followed by H T Luca (3) driven by Del Insko.  (Courtesy LBJ Archives)

Trained and driven by Harry Harvey from the time he was a yearling, Albatross eventually moved into the stable of Stanley Dancer where he remained throughout the rest of his racing career. In his three-year-old season he set a world record for age and gait when he was timed in 1:54.4 at Lexington.  He went on to win 25 of 28 starts that year but the day of the Little Brown Jug turned out to be his "Achilles Heel" as he went down to defeat in dramatic fashion, beaten by Nansemond and his incomparable driver Herve Filion. 

The Jug drew a total of 15 entrants who were split into two divisions. I have listed them below and this summary is an interesting one as it shows that three heats plus a race off were required to determine the outcome on that September afternoon now over 50 years ago. Somewhat of a "throwback" to racing's earlier days. 

A couple of well-known Canadian horses and several drivers were involved that day and when the shadows of late afternoon had settled, one stood above the rest. He was Herve Filion, just 31 at the time. He served notice that he was "King" of the drivers when it came to racing on a half-mile oval. 

Springfield, the property of Dr. George Boyce of London — one of the sport's most ardent participants and supporters of this era — competed in the opening heat. Starting from the  pole position and driven by Jack Kopas he was sent off as the second choice in the betting odds (actually third due to Albatross being barred) and raced extremely well finishing third behind the heat winner Albatross and the second place horse Nansemond. 

Both of the first two were just a "whisker" apart at the wire, identically timed in 1:58.1.  Springfield's time was 1:59.2 and while he was denied a victory this day his showing was outstanding as he finished fifth in the third heat. A short time later on October 9th, Springfield capped off a great sophomore campaign winning the Thomas Murphy Memorial at Lexington in a two-heat performance, again with Jack Kopas in the sulky. 

In the three-horse race off to determine a Jug winner, Albatross, Nansemond, and H T Luca faced the starter. Having drawn the rail, Filion and Nansemond grabbed the early lead and Albatross settled into second spot with H T Luca following.  They proceeded through leisurely fractions shown below. At the head of the stretch Dancer pulled his horse out to challenge but to no avail as Nansemond retained the lead and prevailed that day. 

In a post-race interview Herve Filion said "I just kept yelling at my horse in both English and French; he's bilingual you know..."

What was even more amazing about Nansemond's Jug victory was that he had been inactive from July 16th to September 11th due to a checked ligament in his right leg.  It was a heartbreaking loss for Dancer and one he could not forget despite a long career filled with great victories. Dancer, reportedly in a display of displeasure following the race that day, smashed his stopwatch against the paddock wall! 

In 2007 a panel of writers voted this race to be the biggest upset in Jug History. 

(Courtesy LBJ Archives)

Little Brown Jug Trivia Question: In the 1972 Jug something happened for the first time in history and has never occurred again.  Clue #1: That was the year the Jug winner was Strike Out, Canadian-owned and driven by Keith Waples.  The answer to this question has nothing to do with the outcome of the race or the winning entry.  Clue #2: The correct answer involves a person's name. 

Little Brown Jug Founders Hank Thomson and Joe Neville (Courtesy LBJ Archives)

Quote For The Week: "When you follow your father into politics you immediately inherit half of his friends and all of his enemies." - From George Bush Jr. 

Who Is It?  

Can you identify this Jug winner?  He had strong Canadian connections in both ownership and trainer departments. 

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify the Jug winner or driver in the above photo?  Maybe the second place driver.