For the next six weeks Jay Wolf, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director, will rank the top 10 eligibles for the Little Brown Jug presented by Fazoli’s.
Week #1 – August 5, 2014
1. Hes Watching (1:46.4; $868,972)
Owner: Menary Racing (ONT), Brad Gray (ONT), Michael Guerriero (ONT) & Muscara Racing (PA)
Trainer: David Menary
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Established a new world record in his 1:46.4 win in the $776,000 Meadowlands Pace (7/12).
2. McWicked (1:47.3f; $807,957)
Owner: SSG Stables (NY)
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Driver: David Miller
The son of McArdle won the $400,000 Adios Pace (7/26). Trainer Casie Coleman will be going after Jug history by trying to become the first trainer to win three straight LBJs.
3. JK Endofanera (1:48.2; $985,182)
Owner: 3 Brothers Stables (NY)
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Brian Sears
The son of Art Major became Jug eligible with his win in the North America Cup (6/14). He can now enter the 69th edition of the Jug with a $45,000 supplemental payment
4. Tellitlikeitis (1:48.4s; $505,364)
Owner: Lothlorien (ONT)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Brett Miller
Finished second in the NA Cup Final (6/14) and third in the Meadowlands Pace Final (7/12).
5. Lets Drink On It (1:48.3; $297,232)
Owners: Tina Seekman (IL), Larry Bond (IN), Hal Hewitt (KY) and Vincent Boido, Jr. (MI)
Trainer: Joe Seekman
Driver: Tyler Smith
The son of Art Official has five wins in 10 seasonal starts.
6. At Press Time (1:48.2f; $308,183)
Owners: Burke Racing Stable (PA) and Weaver Bruscemi (PA)
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Matt Kakaley and Yannick Gingras
Finished second in the $500,000 Max Mempt Final (6/28).
7. Somewhere In LA (1:50f; $278,164)
Owner: J & T Silva Stables (NY), Deo Volente Farms (NJ) & TLP Stable (NJ)
Trainer: Robert McIntosh and Jimmy Takter
Driver: Brett Miller
Finished second in the $400,000 Adios Pace Final (7/26).
8. Jet Airway (1:50s; $292,262)
Owners: Erv Miller Stables (PA), Tangie Massey (FL), Paul Sunderhaus (OH) and Larry Agle (OH)
Trainer: Erv Miller and Tony Alagna
Drivers: Marcus Miller and Randy Waples
Has won three straight Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events.
9. Western Vintage (1:49.4; $398,625)
Owners: Perry Soderburg (NJ) and Marvin Katz (ONT)
Trainer: Nancy Johansson
Drivers: Yannick Gingras and Brian Sears
This colt is off to a slow start in 2014 but finished 4th in the New Jersey Classic (8/2).
10. Beat The Drum (1:50.1; $287,386)
Owner: Bender Sweden Inc. (FL)
Trainer: Staffan Lind
Driver: Ron Pierce
Finished second in his last start the $225,000 New Jersey Classic (8/2).
This week’s expert ranking is courtesy of Sam McKee. Sam is the Director of Television and Announcer at the New Meadowlands Racetrack. Sam is a 2012 member of the Communicator’s Corner of the Hall of Fame.
1. Hes Watching
2. McWicked
3. Tellitlikeitis
4. At Press Time
5. Sometimes Said
6. Lets Drink On It
7. Jet Airway
8. Somewhere In LA
9. Western Vintage
10. Twin B Speedo
(LBJ)