The Little Brown Jug is a harness race for three-year-old pacing standardbred horses hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds racetrack in Delaware, Ohio. The race takes place every year on the third Thursday after Labor Day.

Along with the Hambletonian, a race for trotters, it is one of the two most coveted races for standardbreds. The event is named after Little Brown Jug, a pacer, who won nine consecutive races and became a USTA Hall of Fame Immortal in 1975.THE EARLY CHAMPIONS Retrieved 2010-11-19

The race is the counterpart to the Jugette for three-year-old fillies.

History It began in 1937 when the Delaware County Agricultural Society's members, at their annual meeting, voted to move the County Fair, held since its inception at Powell, to Delaware on a tract of land at the northern edge of the city. Two years later a half-mile track was built and provided the stage for harness racing. R.K. McNamara, a local contractor, designed and built the lightning fast track. Enter attorney Joe Neville, whose family had been identified with the standardbred sport for many years, and his friend, Henry C. "Hank" Thomson, sports editor of The Delaware Gazette. Neville, who had campaigned horses on the Grand Circuit and was familiar with its officers and stewards, was successful in obtaining Grand Circuit dates for the new Delaware track. Neville, concerned over the years by the emphasis placed on the trotter, turned his efforts toward showcasing the pacers, particularly the 3-year-olds. The Little Brown Jug Society was formed to stage the Grand Circuit meeting. Neville headed the organization with Thomson as secretary-treasurer. Then came the birth of the Little Brown Jug, named through a newspaper contest won by Major Lanning Parsons, with its previews in 1944 and 1945. The initial Jug in 1946, with a purse of $35,358, was won by Ensign Hanover with Delaware's T. Wayne "Curly" Smart driving. Smart, a successful trainer-driver on the Grand Circuit, was later to become an integral part of the Jug's operation as the track superintendent. Over the years the track monopolized the half-mile record section with world standard performances, mainly through Smart's skill in maintaining the fastest racing strip of its size in the country.

In 1956, the Little Brown Jug joined the Cane Pace and Messenger Stakes as the three races comprising the newly designated Triple Crown of Pacing.

In 2023, the total purse of the race (including the purses of the heats) was increased to $1,000,000 for the first time.

Race Structure The Little Brown Jug is contested in heats. Up until 2016, a horse had to win 2 heats in order to be crowned the winner of the Little Brown Jug. The first heat is split into several divisions, with the top finishers in each division returning to contest the second heat. A horse wins the Little Brown Jug by winning both heats. If a horse does not win both heats, a race off is conducted between the first heat division winners, and the winner of the second heat, to determine the champion. Starting in 2017, the first heat is still split into several divisions (usually 2, sometimes 3) and the top finishers in each division still return to the second heat - however the winner of the second heat is now considered the winner of the Little Brown Jug regardless of if the horse won a division in the first heat.

Ever since 1946 the administrators of the Little Brown Jug have glazed the winners of the horse race on a jug. In 2005, they ran out of room on the first jug and had to make another one. This time, instead of making it out of clay, they made it out of plastic so it would be lighter.

Records Most wins by a driver 5 – Billy Haughton (1955, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1974) 5 – Michel Lachance (1988, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2001) 5 – David Miller (2003, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2018)

Most wins by a trainer 6 – Billy Haughton (1955, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1985)

Stakes record 1:49 0/0 – Betting Line (2016), It's My Show (2023)

Little Brown Jug winners

Year Winner Driver Trainer Owner Time Purse2025LouprintRonnie Wrenn Jr.Ron BurkeBurke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Phil Collura, Lawrence Karr1:50 1/5$500,0002024Captain AlbanoTodd McCarthyNoel DaleyPatricia Stable, LA Express Stable, Sjoblom Racing Inc., Michael Dolan1:50 1/5$525,0002023It's My ShowScott ZeronLinda ToscanoRichard Young, Joanne Young1:49 0/0$850,0002022BythemissalChris PageRon Burke Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing, Weaver Bruscemi1:51 1/5$541,5502021Lou's PearlmanYannick GingrasRon BurkeBurke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Elizabeth Novak, Howard Taylor1:524/5$661,8002020Captain BarbossaJoe BongiornoTony AlagnaAlagnafrankinthegym Stable, Robert Leblanc, and David Anderson1:491/5$559,0002019Southwind OzziBrian SearsBill MacKenzieVincent Ali Jr., Alma Iafelice1:501/5$642,0002018Courtly ChoiceDavid MillerBlake MacintoshHutt Racing Stable, Mac & Heims Stables, Daniel Plouffe, Touch Stone Farms1:494/5$642,0002017Filibuster HanoverYannick GingrasRon BurkeBurke Racing Stable, Joseph DiScala Jr, J & T Silva Stables, Weaver Bruscemi1:500/0$590,0002016Betting LineDavid MillerCasie ColemanWest Wins Stable, Christine Calhoun, Mac T. Nichol1:490/5$577,0002015Wiggle It JiggleitMontrell TeagueClyde FrancisGeorge Teague Jr. Inc.1:493/5$677,0002014Limelight BeachYannick GingrasRon BurkeBurke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stable, Wingfield Bros1:504/5$647,5002013Vegas VacationBrian SearsCasie ColemanWest Wins Stable, Adriano Sorella, Anthony Beaton, Phyllis Saunders1:500/0$552,5512012Michael's PowerScott ZeronCasie ColemanJeffrey S. Snyder1:500/0$487,5502011Big Bad JohnDavid MillerRon Potter Winchester Baye Acres1:500/0$526,8002010Rock N Roll HeavenDaniel DubéBruce SaundersFrank J. Bellino 1:492/5$604,1002009Well SaidRonald PierceSteve ElliottJeffrey S. Snyder, Lothlorien1:514/5$609,1502008Shadow PlayDavid MillerIan Moore Ian Moore, Serge Savard, R G McGroup1:501/5$555,0002007Tell AllJody JamiesonBlair BurgessMy Desire Stable1:52 0/5$480,0002006Mr FeelgoodMark J. MacDonaldJimmy TakterCanamerica Cptl, Diversity Stable, Lindy Farm1:503/5$541,0002005P-Forty SevenDave PaloneKelly O'DonnellM. Maynard, K. O'Donnell & C. Ed Mullinax1:521/5$569,0322004TimesareachangingRonald PierceBrett PellingPerfect World Enterprises1:513/5$571,5002003No Pan IntendedDavid MillerIvan SuggPeter Pan Stables Inc.1:530/5$605,0502002Million Dollar CamLuc OuelletteWilliam RobinsonJeffrey S. Snyder1:502/5$618,6252001Bettor's DelightMichel LachanceScott McEnenyJohn B. Grant1:514/5$646,0502000AstreosCharalambos ChristoforouBrett PellingMakis Chrysomilas, Charalambos Christoforou, Banjo Farms1:553/5$547,9721999Blissful HallRonald PierceBenjamin WallaceDaniel Plouffe1:553/5$543,9801998Shady CharacterRonald PierceBrett PellingSanford and Corinne Goldfarb1:523/5$566,6301997Western DreamerMichel LachanceWilliam RobinsonMatthew J., Patrick J. Jr., and Daniel J. Daly1:511/5$605,2101996Armbro OperativeJack MoiseyevBrendan JohnsonThomas Walsh, Jr., David McDuffee1:523/5$542,2401995Nick's FantasyJohn CampbellCaroline LyonMarkenjay Stud1:512/5$543,6701994Magical MikeMichel LachanceThomas HaughtonShadow Lane Farm, David McDuffee1:523/5$512,8301993Life SignJohn CampbellGene RiegleBrittany Farms1:520/5$465,5001992Fake LeftRon WaplesGeorge SholtyStatus Stables Inc.1:544/5$556,2101991Precious BunnyJack MoiseyevWilliam RobinsonR. Peter Heffering1:550/5$575,1501990Beach TowelRay RemmenLarry RemmenUptown Stable1:533/5$468,0501989Goalie JeffMichel LachanceThomas ArtandiCentre Ice Stable1:541/5$500,2001988B. J. ScootMichel LachanceThomas ArtandiSybarite Stable1:523/5$486,0501987Jaguar SpurRichard StillingsCharles "Buddy" StillingsRoy D. Davis, Barberry Farms1:553/5$412,3301986Barberry SpurBill O'DonnellRichard StillingsRoy D. Davis, Barberry Farms1:524/5$407,6841985NihilatorBill O'DonnellBilly HaughtonWall Street Stable, Nihilator Syndicate1:521/5$350,7301984Colt FortysixChris BoringChris BoringProudfoot Farms1:552/5$366,7171983Ralph HanoverRon WaplesStewart FirlotteRon Waples, Pointsetta Stables, Grants Direct Stables, P. J. Baugh1:553/5$358,8001982MergerJohn CampbellJohn CampbellJ. Campbell, D. Morrisey, P. Oud, W. Muldering1:563/5$328,9001981Fan HanoverGlen GarnseyWilliam SmytheJ. Glen Brown1:584/5$243,7791980NiatrossClint GalbraithClint GalbraithClint Galbraith, Elsie Berger, Niatross Stable1:544/5$207,3611979Hot HitterHervé FilionLouis MeittinisSolomon Katz, S A J Ranch Ltd., Alterman Stables1:553/5$226,4551978Happy EscortWilliam PopfingerWilliam PopfingerKeystone Arbor Stable2:004/5$186,7601977Governor SkipperJohn ChapmanHoward "Buck" NorrisIvanhoe Stable1:562/5$150,0001976Keystone OreStanley DancerStanley DancerF&F Perry, R. Jones, S.F. Dancer, R.L. Dancer & R. Hild1:572/5$153,7991975SeatrainBenny WebsterLee BensonLee Benson1:594/5$147,8131974Armbro OmahaBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonJ. Elgin Armstrong1:584/5$132,6301973Melvin's WoeJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienThurman Downing1:592/5$120,0001972Strike OutKeith WaplesJohn HayesBeejay Stable1:563/5$104,9161971NansemondHervé FilionCharles O. MumfordF. Perry, W. Camp, Jr., Capital Hill Farms1:572/5$102,9641970Most Happy FellaStanley DancerStanley DancerEgyptian Acres Stable1:573/5$100,1101969Laverne HanoverBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonThomas W. Murphy, Jr.2:002/5$109,7311968Rum CustomerBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonLouis & Connie Manucuso & Kennilworth Farm1:593/5$104,2261967Best Of AllJames HackettJames HackettSamuel Huttenbauer2:000/5$84,7781966Romeo HanoverGeorge SholtyJerry SilvermanLucky Star Stables & Morton Finder1:593/5$74,6161965Bret HanoverFrank ErvinFrank ErvinRichard Downing1:570/5$71,4471964Vicar HanoverBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonDonald D. MacFarlane2:010/5$66,5901963OvertrickJohn F. Patterson, Sr.John F. Patterson, Sr.Allwood Stable (Leonard J. & Helen R. Buck)1:573/5$68,2941962Lehigh HanoverStanley DancerStanley DancerLehigh Stables1:593/5$75,0391961Henry T. AdiosStanley DancerStanley DancerDr. & Mrs. Nicholas Derrico2:050/5$70,0691960Bullet HanoverJohn F. Simpson Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.T. W. Murphy, Jr., J. F. Simpson, Hanover Shoe Farm1:593/5$66,5101959Adios ButlerClint HodginsPaige H. West Paige H. West & Angelo Pellillo2:004/5$76,5821958Shadow WaveJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienS. A. Camp Farms2:010/5$65,2521957TorpidJohn F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Sherwood Farm2:034/5$73,5281956Noble AdiosJohn F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Paul Wixom2:004/5$52,6661955Quick ChiefBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonFarmsted Acres & John Froelich2:002/5$66,6081954Adios HarryMorris MacDonaldMorris MacDonaldJ. Howard Lyons2:032/5$69,3221953KeystonerFrank ErvinFrank ErvinGeorge H. Tipling2:093/5$54,9721952Meadow RiceT. Wayne SmartDelvin MillerWilliam G. Reynolds2:023/5$60,4631951Tar HeelDel CameronDelvin MillerWilliam N. Reynolds Estate2:000/5$66,2801950Dudley HanoverDelvin MillerDelvin MillerHayes Fair Acres2:032/5$56,5251949Good TimeFrank ErvinFrank ErvinWilliam H. Cane2:032/5$58,2811948Knight DreamFranklin E. SaffordFranklin E. SaffordArmstrong Bros & Gray Bros2:071/5$47,5281947Forbes ChiefDel CameronDel CameronNewport Stock Farm2:050/5$38,2001946Ensign HanoverT. Wayne SmartSep PalinCastleton Farm2:071/5$35,358

References