I motored up to Delaware, Ohio within the past week and stopped at the fairgrounds. Everything looked in order and very quiet. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, when I was there.
In one week, however, the fairgrounds will be rockin’ and rollin’ with Jug fever.
I was a bit concerned when I saw a weather forecast earlier. It promised rain, rain, rain. While central Ohio needs the rain, we don’t need it during Jug Week. Happily, however, the latest forecast I saw for Jug Day was perfect.
No, SBSW won’t be there, but I don’t think the enthusiasm or sense of anticipation will be noticeably diminished. Can Art Official take a shot of SBSW’s world record of 1:49.2? I don’t know. I still think that Badlands Nitro shouldn’t be overlooked, but he couldn’t get the job done in the Cane Pace. We’ll see how he fares in Jug Town.
The hometown hero, Beeeyouuuuuu, was on fire pacing on the front end last Saturday in his Ohio Sires Stakes final, but he made a bobble coming off the last turn and took to running. The speed and the fitness are obviously there and the local boy could be a factor if he can draw good and stick to his knitting. After all, the home track advantage ought to mean something to him. And his trainer Billy Walters is a shrewd horseman.
My late friend Norman Woolworth once said that every harness fan ought to see the Jug, the Hambo, and the Prix d’Amerique. I’m sure in later years he would have added the Elitlopp as his passion for Swedish trotting grew. From my point of view, I’ll never forget the Gold Cup & Saucer on PEI.
So if you haven’t seen the Jug, make plans to attend - this year or next year or sometime. It’s truly a slice of Americana you won’t soon forget.
Have you ever been to a
Have you ever been to a harness race where people are ten deep or more all the way around the track plus the grandstand is completely packed? As far as I know it only happens in Delaware, Ohio on Jug Day. A good number of the 50,000 people are Canadian. Many spend at least two days watching the racing and enjoying the less expensive American beer. Delaware is only 177 miles from Windsor, ON. The party starts at noon on Sunday and last until the last horse is cooled out on Thursday.