They may be connected to different charges in today's prestigious Little Brown Jug from the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio, but both trainer Joe Holloway and driver Jody Jamieson are very confident heading into the multi-heat test.
"Both of my colts [Always A Virgin and Fresh Deck] are good right now, but you just can't afford to have bad racing luck in this race," Holloway was quoted as saying in a Canadian Press article. "I think Always A Virgin is the best in his elimination heat and I think he's good enough to make his own racing luck, but you never know."
Looking forward to steering this year's Pepsi North America Cup winner, Tell All, Jamieson indicated that he is very confident in his mount heading into the annual classic.
"I really think my horse is going to show he's the cream of the crop," said Jamieson. "We'll see how it plays out but I really believe that.
"I think I've got the best horse. I'm going to drive him like I'm confident."
Click here to read the complete Canadian Press article.
The draw for the two divisions of the first heat are listed below.
First elimination
Post - Horse - Driver - Morning Line
1. Fresh Deck - George Brennan - 4-1
2. Charley Barley - Mike Lachance - 10-1
3. Tell All - Jody Jamieson - 2-1
4. Artists View - Yannick Gingras - 8-1
5. Watta Hotshot - Dave Palone - 6-1
6. Southwind Lynx - Tim Tetrick - 7-2
7. Ruff Me Up - John Campbell - 15-1
8. Reserve Forces - Steve Condren - 20-1
Second elimination
Post--Horse--Driver--Morning Line
1. Honky Tonk Hanover - Ron Pierce - 10-1
2. May June Character - George Brennan - 5-2
3. Always A Virgin - Brian Sears - 8-5
4. Kinetic Yankee - Andy Miller - 6-1
5. Casino King - Tim Tetrick - 20-1
6. Won The West - Greg Grismore - 7-2
7. Hot Rod Mindale - David Miller - 15-1