What are some of the factors needed to win Horse of the Year honours? Are there certain races that a three-year-old pacer needs to win to receive consideration as the best of his/her class?
From past elections, it seems winning or starting in The Little Brown Jug is a big factor.
The Little Brown Jug comes at a time when voters in the U.S. Harness Writers' poll begin deciding between the year's top horses, both trotters and pacers. Competing in the Jug has helped 15 colts and one filly win the Dan Patch award as Horse of the Year.
Most of the colts and fillies who race at Delaware continue on to Lexington and the two week Grand Circuit meeting at The Red Mile. Some horses skip the first week, but almost all compete in the Tattersalls Pace on the final day of racing, Saturday, October 3. Since the Jug is raced on September 18, there are 16 days between the Jug and the Tattersalls Pace.
There is no race in the United States that attracts such a huge crowd. Like the Hambletonian, people who love harness racing look forward to coming to Delaware each year to see the best standardbreds compete over the world's fastest half-mile track.
In 2006, there were 19 World Records set during the five-day Delaware Grand Circuit. The half-mile track had been completely scarified. Greg Coon, noted Grand Circuit Track consultant, explained that tracks need to be reworked every couple of years. Coon and Delaware Track Superintendent Tony Williams scarified the Delaware County Fair track on July 26, 2008.
Eight of the 11 fastest pacing miles of all time were set at Delaware.
1:49 - Jet Laag - Del. (1999)
1:49 – Ponder - Del.(2006)
1:49.2 - Stand Forever - Del. (1996)
1:49.2 – Somebeachsomewhere - Flmd. (2008)
1:49.3 - Jennas Beach Boy - Del. (1996)
1:49.3 - Gold Dust Beach - Del. (2007)
1:49.4 - Maltese Artist - Northfield (2007)
1:50 - Royal Mattjesty - Del.(2004)
1:50 - Mr Feelgood - Del. (2006)
1:50.1 - Jet Laag - Del. (1999)
1:50.1 - Strong Scooter - Del. (2001)
(Little Brown Jug)