Officials with the Little Brown Jug have released the second installment of the track's 'Road to the Jug' weekly rankings.
This year there will be several harness racing celebrities give their Top 10 picks.
This week’s celebrity sections come from Hall of Famer Sam McKee. McKee is a jack of all trades and one of the nicest gentlemen in the sport. McKee is the Director of Television at the new Meadowlands Racetrack, the Grand Circuit announcer for the Red Mile, the simulcast host for the Little Brown Jug and a pedigree reader at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, PA.
Little Brown Jug Top 10 Contenders (Week #2 – August 6)
By Jay Wolf – Little Brown Jug Publicity Director
1. Captaintreacherous (Last Week #1)
Owners: Captaintreacherous Racing (KY)
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Career Earnings: $2,047,945
Career Mark: 1:48.1 M
He won a qualifier at the Meadowlands (8/2) by more than 15 lengths in 1:50.1, the last quarter was in :25.4. He is being pointed to the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine (8/17)
2. Vegas Vacation (Last Week #2)
Owners: West Wins Stable (ONT), Adriano Sorella (ONT), Anthony Beaton (ONT) & Phyllis Saunders (ONT)
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Driver: Brian Sears & Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $432,751
Career Mark: 1:48.3 Moh
Won the $12,500 elimination for the Empire Breeder’s Classic at Tioga Downs (8/4) in 1:49.2.
3. Sunfire Blue Chip (Last Week #3)
Owners: Christina Talker (NJ), John & Jim Fielding (ONT), Brixton Medical AB (SWE) and R A W Equine Inc. (ONT)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Career Earnings: $398,714
Career Mark: 1:48.3 Mea
Won the $12,500 elimination for the Empire Breeder’s Classic at Tioga Downs (8/4) in 1:50.2.
4. Odds On Equuleus (Last Week #4)
Owners: Odds On Racing (IL)
Trainer: Robin Schadt
Driver: John Campbell
Career Earnings: $598,602
Career Mark: 1:50 Moh
Set the pace in the Empire Breeder’s Classic elimination (8/4) before fading to fourth.
5. Lonewolf Currier (Last Week #6)
Owners: Fran Azur (PA)
Trainer: Kevin McDermott
Driver: John Campbell/Brian Sears
Career Earnings: $274,495
Career Mark: 1:48.4 Mea
The Panderosa colt finished third in a leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (8/2) at The Meadows.
6. Mach It So (Last Week #8)
Owners: Bamond Racing LLC (NJ)
Trainer: Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman
Driver: Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $214,238
Career Mark: 1:50 Moh
Did not race last weekend.
7. Lucan Hanover (Last Week #NR)
Owner: West Wins Stable (ONT) and Christine Calhoun (ONT)
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Driver: David Miller & Scott Zeron
Career Earnings: $219,820
Career Mark: 1:48.3 M
Won the $250,000 New Jersey Classic (8/3) at The Meadowlands in a lifetime best 1:48.3. This son of Western Ideal has won four-in-a-row.
8. Some Kinda Beach (Last Week #NR)
Owners: Ronald Michelon (IL) and Paymaq Racing (IL)
Trainer: Robin Cruise
Driver: Marcus Miller/Andy Miller
Career Earnings: $155,980
Career Mark: 1:50.1 Mea
Was a solid winner in a leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (8/2) at the Meadows in 1:50.1.
9. Rockin Amadeus (Last Week #10)
Owners: Lothlorien (ONT)
Trainer: Jimmy Takter
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Career Earnings: $578,607
Career Mark: 1:49.3 M
He overcame a long trip to finish third in the $250,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic (8/3).
10. Word Power (Last Week #7)
Owners: Brad Grant (ONT)
Trainer: Larry Remmen
Driver: Jim Morrill, Jr./Corey Callahan
Career Earnings: $128,250
Career Mark: 1:49.4 M
He was the betting favourite in the Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic (8/3). He led the field past the half-mile pole but faded to seventh.
Little Brown Jug Top 10 Contenders by Sam McKee – the newest member of Communicator’s Corner of the Hall of Fame and Simulcast Host for the Little Brown Jug
1. Captaintreacherous
- the best colt out there BUT, like his sire, will he or won't he go to the Jug?
2. Sunfire Blue Chip
- fast, talented, top connections and still getting dialed in gait-wise with room to improve
3. Vegas Vacation
- what comes around goes around so he's do for some better racing luck
4. Word Power
- threw in his first clunker of the year in NJ Classic. Did recent tough trips catch up to him?
5. Lonewolf Currier
- inconsistent but can flat out motor when he's right
6. Odds On Equuleus
- has had issues and races have been well spaced. Major player if right.
7. Lucan Hanover
- looked like a new horse in NJ Classic with Coleman adjustments.
8. Sunshine Beach
- fast horse, but can he get around the half-mile O.K. at mega-speeds?
9. Johny Rock
- honest sort who is a factor with an inside draw
10. Twilight Bonfire
- has gone south recently but connections will be gearing up for the Jug
Honourable mentions: Beach Memories, Captive Audience, Dedis Dragon, Martini Hanover, Source Of Pride and Wake Up Peter
(Little Brown Jug)