The Little Brown Jug

Top Eligibles for the 81st Little Brown Jug (Grade 1)
Week #3 (of 6) – August 26, 2026

By Jay Wolf, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director

The Little Brown Jug will be raced on Thursday, September 24, 2026

Brandon Blvd (1:47.3; $1,285,092)
Owners: Punisher 11 Stable (NJ)
Trainer: Andrew Harris Driver: Dexter Dunn

Melillo (1:48.4f; $801,722)
Owner: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Jason Melillo (OH), Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

Al Papi (1:47.2f; $979,945)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby (FL), Larry Karr (FL) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras

Beau Jangles (1:48.3s; $1,423,390)
Owners: Graham Grace Stables (VA), Kiwi Stables MD) & Bolton Stables (FL)
Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore Driver: Bob McClure & Todd McCarthy

Sweet Lovin Lou (1:47.3; $463,812)
Owner: Lagace Stables (ON), Edwin Buehler (NY), Big Al’s Stable (OH) & Brittany Farms (KY)
Trainer: Daniel Lagace Drivers: Scott Zeron/Tim Tetrick

Fragment (1:48.3f; $900,406)
Engblom Farm (NJ), Douglas Sipple (DE) & Peaceful Acre Farm (PA)
Trainer: Per Engblom Drivers: Jason Bartlett/Yannick Gingras

Frantic Hanover (1:49.1f; $607,724)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Bradley Grant (ON), Knox Services, Inc. (OH) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Tim Tetrick

Hunting Glory (1:51.4f; $204,334)
Owner: Royal Wire Products, Inc. (OH)
Trainer: Robert Cleary Driver: Ridge Warren

Superchamp Hanover (1:49.1f; $167,261)
Owners: Joe P Racing (FL), Fiddlers Creek Stables (FL) & Alexander Racing Stables (FL)
Trainer: Travis Alexander Driver: Matt Kakaley

Watch Em Win (1:51.2f; $304,798)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Knox Services, Inc. (OH), Phillip Collura (PA) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

Upcoming Events
August 29 Eldorado Scioto Downs Ohio Sire Stakes Leg
August 29 The Meadows Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Leg
August 30 Tioga Downs Empire Breeders
August 30 The Red Mile Kentucky Sire Stakes Leg
August 30 Woodbine Mohawk Park Ontario Sire Stakes Gold Leg
September 4 Meadowlands New Jersey Classic Elimination
September 6 Harrah’s Philadelphia Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final
September 8 The Red Mile Kentucky Sire Stakes Leg

Supplement Information
Any three-year-old pacer not currently eligible for the 81st Little Brown Jug may, with a payment of $45,000, supplement to the 2026 Little Brown Jug. Supplemental entries are due by Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Those currently eligible must submit their entry by Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Ticket Information
For ticket information, please visit LittleBrownJug.com/admission or call toll free 1-(800) DEL-FAIR.

Governor Mike DeWine Selected for Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame

Delaware, OH — Governor Mike DeWine has been selected as the 41st inductee into the prestigious Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame, an honor presented annually by the Delaware County Fair to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the historic pacing classic and the fairgrounds that host it.

Raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Gov. DeWine started working in his family’s seed company, gaining a firsthand appreciation for agriculture’s vital role in Ohio’s economy. That early foundation shaped a lifetime of public service and advocacy for Ohio’s farming and rural traditions.

In 2018, DeWine was elected to serve as the 70th Governor of the State of Ohio, capping a distinguished career that includes service as Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Senator, U.S. Congressman, Ohio Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. Senator.

“Gov. DeWine has been a great advocate for the Delaware County Fair and the Little Brown Jug,” said Tom Wright, President of the Little Brown Jug Society. “He was instrumental in acquiring the bed tax and capital improvement funds to upgrade our aging facilities.”

“Gov. DeWine has been in the winner’s circle nearly every year that he has been in office to present the Little Brown Jug trophy,” added Wright. “He is a great advocate for our industry and agriculture.”

“I am honored to be included as part of The Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “The Little Brown Jug has a special place in harness racing and is always a great tradition at the Delaware County Fair.”

Gov. DeWine will be formally honored during a private ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 22, prior to the 81st edition of the Grade 1 Little Brown Jug. He will also be recognized in the winner’s circle on Jug Day, Thursday, Sept. 24.

Photo Credit: State of Ohio

BRANDON BLVD went down the road in the $300,000 (Grade 2) Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old pacing c**ts and geldings, scoring in 1:48.2.

BRANDON BLVD went down the road in the $300,000 (Grade 2) Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old pacing c**ts and geldings, scoring in 1:48.2.

Driven by Dexter Dunn for trainer Andrew Harris and owners Punisher 11 Stable, the son of DOWNBYTHESEASIDE is now six for nine on the year, with seasonal earnings approaching $1 million dollars. Bred by Crawford Farms LLC, he returned $6.20.

MELILLO was a close second and AL PAPI finished third with both hailing from the Burke Brigade.

Top Eligibles for the 81st Little Brown Jug (Grade 1)
Week #2 (of 6) – August 19, 2026
By Jay Wolf, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director

The Little Brown Jug will be raced on Thursday, September 24, 2026

Brandon Blvd (1:47.3;$1,135,092)
Owners: Punisher 11 Stable (NJ)
Trainer: Andrew Harris Driver: Dexter Dunn

Al Papi (1:47.2f; $941,945)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby (FL), Larry Karr (FL) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras

Beau Jangles (1:48.3s; $1,423,390)
Owners: Graham Grace Stables (VA), Kiwi Stables MD) & Bolton Stables (FL)
Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore Driver: Bob McClure & Todd McCarthy

Melillo (1:48.4f; $801,722)
Owner: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Jason Melillo (OH), Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

Fragment (1:48.3f; $900,406)
Engblom Farm (NJ), Douglas Sipple (DE) & Peaceful Acre Farm (PA)
Trainer: Per Engblom Drivers: Jason Bartlett/Yannick Gingras

Sweet Lovin Lou (1:47.3; $463,812)
Owner: Lagace Stables (ON), Edwin Buehler (NY), Big Al’s Stable (OH) & Brittany Farms (KY)
Trainer: Daniel Lagace Drivers: Scott Zeron/Tim Tetrick

Frantic Hanover (1:49.1f; $607,724)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Bradley Grant (ON), Knox Services, Inc. (OH) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Tim Tetrick

Hunting Glory (1:51.4f; $204,334)
Owner: Royal Wire Products, Inc. (OH)
Trainer: Robert Cleary Driver: Ridge Warren

No Waitlist (1:50.0s; $174,948)
Owner: Tim Dickieson (ON)
Trainer: Blake MacIntosh Driver: Doug McNair

Hunt Off The Press (1:52.1s; $353,116)
Owner: Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc. (NY)
Trainer: Jared Bako Driver: Doug McNair

Upcoming Events
August 21 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Indiana Sire Stake Leg
August 22 Batavia Downs New York Sire Stake Leg
August 22 Pocono Downs at Mohegan Max Hempt Memorial (Grade 2)
August 29 Eldorado Scioto Downs Ohio Sire Stakes Leg
August 29 The Meadows Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Leg
August 30 Tioga Downs Empire Breeders
August 30 The Red Mile Kentucky Sire Stakes Leg
August 30 Woodbine Mohawk Park Ontario Sire Stakes Gold Leg

Supplement Information
Any three-year-old pacer not currently eligible for the 81st Little Brown Jug may, with a payment of $45,000, supplement to the 2026 Little Brown Jug. Supplemental entries are due by Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Those currently eligible must submit their entry by Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Ticket Information
For ticket information, please visit LittleBrownJug.com/admission or call toll free 1-(800) DEL-FAIR.

Delaware County Fair Announces Stake Schedule Changes

Delaware, OH -- The Delaware (OH) County Fair has announced adjustments to two Buckeye Claiming Series races originally scheduled for the 2026 meet. The updated race dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Post Time 1:00 PM
Buckeye Claiming Series - 3-Year-Old Filly Pace (Event #46)

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Post Time 11:00 AM
Buckeye Claiming Series – 3-Year-Old C**t Pace (Event #44)

All entries close at 10:00 AM, three (3) days before scheduled race and all Buckeye Claiming Series have a $150 starting fee.

The entire 2026 race schedule can be found at: https://horsemen.ustrotting.com/conditions/

Questions should be directed to Tom Wright at (614) 847-1948.

Top Eligibles for the 81st Little Brown Jug (Grade 1)
Week #1 (of 6) – August 12, 2026

By Jay Wolf, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director

The Little Brown Jug will be raced on Thursday, September 24, 2026


1. Brandon Blvd (1:47.3; $1,135,092)
Owners: Punisher 11 Stable (NJ)
Trainer: Andrew Harris Driver: Dexter Dunn

2. Al Papi (1:47.2f; $941,945)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby (FL), Larry Karr (FL) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras

3. Beau Jangles (1:48.3s; $1,422,202)
Owners: Graham Grace Stables (VA), Kiwi Stables MD) & Bolton Stables (FL)
Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore Driver: Bob McClure

4. Fragment (1:48.3f; $880,156)
Engblom Farm (NJ), Douglas Sipple (DE) & Peaceful Acre Farm (PA)
Trainer: Per Engblom Drivers: Jason Bartlett/Yannick Gingras

5. Sweet Lovin Lou (1:47.3; $463,812)
Owner: Lagace Stables (ON), Edwin Buehler (NY), Big Al’s Stable (OH) & Brittany Farms (KY)
Trainer: Daniel Lagace Drivers: Scott Zeron/Tim Tetrick

6. Melillo (1:48.4f; $651,722)
Owner: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Jason Melillo (OH), Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

7. Frantic Hanover (1:49.1f; $607,724)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA), Bradley Grant (ON), Knox Services, Inc. (OH) & Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Tim Tetrick

8. Hunt Off The Press (1:52.1s; $346,516)
Owner: Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc. (NY)
Trainer: Jared Bako Driver: Doug McNair

9. Treacherous Lou (1:50.3f; $87,176)
Owner: Royal Wire Products, Inc. (OH)
Trainer: Robert Cleary Driver: Andrew McCarthy

10. No Waitlist (1:50.0s; $174,948)
Owner: Tim Dickieson (ON)
Trainer: Blake MacIntosh Driver: Doug McNair


Upcoming Events
August 13 Yonkers Raceway New York Sire Stakes Leg
August 15 Northfield Park Racino Carl Milstein Memorial (Grade 2)
August 18 The Red Mile Kentucky Sire Stake Leg
August 21 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Indiana Sire Stake Leg
August 22 Batavia Downs New York Sire Stake Leg
August 22 Pocono Downs at Mohegan Max Hempt Memorial (Grade 2)

Supplement Information
Any three-year-old pacer not currently eligible for the 81st Little Brown Jug may, with a payment of $45,000, supplement to the 2026 Little Brown Jug. Supplemental entries are due by Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Those currently eligible must submit their entry by Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Ticket Information
For ticket information, please visit LittleBrownJug.com/admission or call toll free 1-(800) DEL-FAIR.

SWEET LOVIN LOU LUNGES FOR CANE PACE UPSET

By Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands
(Chris Tully photo)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Longshot Sweet Lovin Lou disrupted a three-prong stretch sprint of the betting favorites with a bold brush over the top to win the $310,750 Grade 2 Cane Pace, for pacing 3-year-olds, in a lifetime-best 1:47.3 effort on Saturday (Aug. 8) at The Meadowlands.

With Tim Tetrick picking up the drive for sidelined Scott Zeron, Sweet Lovin Lou took back from post 4 to race last in the quintet while an early scuffle ensued through a :27.1 first quarter. Meadowlands Pace champ Brandon Blvd, off the 3-5 favorite, pushed forward but yielded to outside pursuers Odds On Mr Mamba and Gentleman’s Club, with the latter sweeping to the top in the backstretch.

Gentleman’s Club cut a :54.1 half with the field single-file and readied for attacks in the last turn. Odds On Mr Mamba loomed out of the pocket with Brandon Blvd carried three wide by three-quarters in 1:21.1 all while Tetrick gathered the strongest momentum with Sweet Lovin Lou from the back. By the eighth pole, Sweet Lovin Lou reached his best stride and barreled by a game Gentleman’s Club to win by three-quarters of a length with Brandon Blvd settling for third and Odds On Mr Mamba back in fourth.

“I’ve watched him go and he can sprint fast,” Tetrick said after the race. “I was a little worried at the quarter when they only went [:]27.1 but then they started mixing it up. I still felt pretty confident going into the last turn and this horse really flew through the stretch. When I got the plugs out and I followed Brandon Blvd up there, he got right up on him when I asked him to.”

Daniel Lagace trains Sweet Lovin Lou, a c**t by Sweet Lou-Lover’s Dream, for owners Lagace Stables, Edwin Buhler, Big Als Stables and Brittany Farms Micki Rae. The c**t won his second race from nine starts this season with his lone other win being his previous lifetime best, a 1:48.2 effort to take an elimination for the North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He also collected his fifth win from 18 starts in his career, pushing his earnings to $463,812. Sent the second longest shot in the betting, Sweet Lovin Lou paid $30.60 to win.

The Little Brown Jug Featured on New Ohio State Fair Carousel

The 171st Ohio State Fair comes to a close on Sunday (Aug. 9), but that still gives you plenty of time to enjoy the fair food, agricultural displays and a ride on the new Ohio Children’s Carousel featuring a scene from the Little Brown Jug.

The Ohio Children’s Carousel is one of many new projects that fairgoers will enjoy for the first time this year as the result of strategic planning that began in 2019 with the Expo 2050 Task Force to build better experiences at the state fairgrounds.

Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine were personally involved in the design of the carousel, a tribute to Ohio’s children and the heart, history, and heritage of Ohio.

The Carousel includes the names of all 88 counties, as well as twelve rounding boards depicting iconic Ohio locations and events such as Neil Armstrong on the Moon, the Wright Brothers Flyer and the Marblehead Lighthouse.

“We are honored to be a part of this great project,” said Tom Wright, President of the Little Brown Jug Society. “Ohio has a rich history of important events and landmarks. We were excited to hear that we were included.”

Page hits win #8000 at Eldorado Scioto Downs

From: Eldorado Scioto Downs
Photo Credit: Conrad Photo (Page is shown with his wife Brianna, son Carter and daughter Avery celebrating his 8,000th win with Later Dudes, trained by Ron Burke.)

Chris Page hit a huge driving milestone when he piloted Later Dudes to victory in the fifth race at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Tuesday (July 28). Win #8,000 came nearly 25 years to the week of his first lifetime victory.

Page’s career started in July of 2000 at the Knox County Fair in his hometown of Mt Vernon. It took him just over a year to get his first lifetime win, but it was only his 19th start. That day he won with Titanic Fella for trainer Erik Hall in a trail blazing 2:09 mile going for $800.

Page’s driving career started to take off in 2006 when he logged 750 starts, and he’s averaged 2,696 starts for the past five years. Logging that many starts, it didn’t quite take Page two years to log 1,000 wins as he got his most previous milestone, win #7,000, on October 6, 2024.

Lifetime to date, the 42-year-old reinsman now has 46,600 starts with $89.47-million in earnings. He has won an astonishing 10 Jerry Kaltenbach Memorial Trophies, awarded to the driver (and trainer) who earn the most in that year’s Ohio Sires Stakes action. Page, Scioto’s 2025 leading driver, accomplished a childhood dream back in 2022 when he piloted Bythemissal to victory in the Little Brown Jug.

Overall, Page had 4 wins on the Tuesday card and currently is the leading driver at Scioto, just ahead of 25-year-old Luke Hanners who sits second.

Racing continues Wednesday (July 29) with a 14-race card and 16-race cards Thursday-Saturday. Post time each day is 5:25 p.m.

The 91-day 2026 Eldorado Scioto Downs regular season runs through Saturday, September 19. Races will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays starting in August. There will be a special holiday card on Labor Day instead of the Tuesday card that week and no live racing on Friday (September 18) to accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale. The track will then re-open for the Breeders Crown, with eliminations held October 16-17 and the finals October 23-24. More information about all the racing action at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

2022 Jug winner and Ohio Horse of the Year BYTHEMISSAL scored a huge upset at 55-1 to take the $135,700 (div.) William R. Haughton Memorial [G2] FanDuel Open Pace in 1:47, just a tick off the track record.

2022 Jug winner and Ohio Horse of the Year BYTHEMISSAL scored a huge upset at 55-1 to take the $135,700 (div.) William R. Haughton Memorial [G2] FanDuel Open Pace in 1:47, just a tick off the track record.

Driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr. for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, E. Good, Rich Lombardo Racing & Weaver Bruscemi, the 7-year-old son of DOWNBYTHESEASIDE swooped the field down the stretch after being last at the head of the stretch. He was bred by Dr. Stephen P. Dey (NJ).

Captain Optimistic (finished fourth) set torrid fractions of :25.1, 52.3, 1:19.4 but was caught at the wire by SWINGTOWN (fin. 2nd, 8-3 Exacta $1,235.00). FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE was third.

The race was sponsored by VIP Internet Stable.