2026 Little Brown Jug
Quote from Lonnie on September 2, 2026, 12:07 PMWhere has this year gone?
How can we be in September already??
That can only mean one thing. It's Little Brown Jug time! I feel the excitement building already.
Great article in Harness Racing Update by John Berry on the history of the Little Brown Jug: https://harnessracingupdate.com/2026/09/02/its-september-which-means-its-jug-month/
What are some of your memories that jump back into mind when thinking about your prior trips to Delaware, Ohio during Jug Week?
Where has this year gone?
How can we be in September already??
That can only mean one thing. It's Little Brown Jug time! I feel the excitement building already.
Great article in Harness Racing Update by John Berry on the history of the Little Brown Jug: https://harnessracingupdate.com/2026/09/02/its-september-which-means-its-jug-month/
What are some of your memories that jump back into mind when thinking about your prior trips to Delaware, Ohio during Jug Week?
Quote from Bgtolex25 on September 2, 2026, 4:18 PM
- My first, 1978 with Happy Escort winning a 3rd heat against Flight Director and Falcon Almahurst. In those days you could take a lawn chair to an area in front of grandstand, which is now box seating.
- Paddocking for my uncle in preliminaries in 1980. This was well before the LBJ paddock was built, segregating Jug horses from the rest of the card. Seeing up close the likes of Niatross, Storm Damage, Tyler B, Joe O’Brien, Billy Haughton, Billy Herman, Clint Galbraith etc sent the 15 year old over the top.
- 1988 first Ohio sired horse to win LBJ. He was BJ Scoot, sired by the aforementioned Falcon Almahurst, standing at the now long defunct Hill Farms. I happened to be employed there at the time. It was a big deal for us.
- Any of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
- My first, 1978 with Happy Escort winning a 3rd heat against Flight Director and Falcon Almahurst. In those days you could take a lawn chair to an area in front of grandstand, which is now box seating.
- Paddocking for my uncle in preliminaries in 1980. This was well before the LBJ paddock was built, segregating Jug horses from the rest of the card. Seeing up close the likes of Niatross, Storm Damage, Tyler B, Joe O’Brien, Billy Haughton, Billy Herman, Clint Galbraith etc sent the 15 year old over the top.
- 1988 first Ohio sired horse to win LBJ. He was BJ Scoot, sired by the aforementioned Falcon Almahurst, standing at the now long defunct Hill Farms. I happened to be employed there at the time. It was a big deal for us.
- Any of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
Quote from MaywoodAl on September 2, 2026, 9:13 PMAny of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
Brings up the old saying, This thread is worthless without pics.
I have never been. With KY sire stakes on the 20th. I'll miss again this year.
Any of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
Brings up the old saying, This thread is worthless without pics.
I have never been. With KY sire stakes on the 20th. I'll miss again this year.
Quote from Lonnie on September 3, 2026, 11:46 AMQuote from Bgtolex25 on September 2, 2026, 4:18 PM
- My first, 1978 with Happy Escort winning a 3rd heat against Flight Director and Falcon Almahurst. In those days you could take a lawn chair to an area in front of grandstand, which is now box seating.
- Paddocking for my uncle in preliminaries in 1980. This was well before the LBJ paddock was built, segregating Jug horses from the rest of the card. Seeing up close the likes of Niatross, Storm Damage, Tyler B, Joe O’Brien, Billy Haughton, Billy Herman, Clint Galbraith etc sent the 15 year old over the top.
- 1988 first Ohio sired horse to win LBJ. He was BJ Scoot, sired by the aforementioned Falcon Almahurst, standing at the now long defunct Hill Farms. I happened to be employed there at the time. It was a big deal for us.
- Any of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
Oh man, I am so jealous! I would have given anything to see Niatross so up close like that!
The times I have been were at the breeding farms. I visited him at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and later at Walnridge Farm in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. At Walnridge, I was visiting him with my then-wife and our dog, Benji. The world's greatest horse got to meet the world's greatest dog. They sniffed each other nose to nose under the fence. I wish I had caught that on camera. I took pics from our visit, and if I can find them, I will post them. Niatross was euthanized eight days after that visit. I cried.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on September 2, 2026, 4:18 PM
- My first, 1978 with Happy Escort winning a 3rd heat against Flight Director and Falcon Almahurst. In those days you could take a lawn chair to an area in front of grandstand, which is now box seating.
- Paddocking for my uncle in preliminaries in 1980. This was well before the LBJ paddock was built, segregating Jug horses from the rest of the card. Seeing up close the likes of Niatross, Storm Damage, Tyler B, Joe O’Brien, Billy Haughton, Billy Herman, Clint Galbraith etc sent the 15 year old over the top.
- 1988 first Ohio sired horse to win LBJ. He was BJ Scoot, sired by the aforementioned Falcon Almahurst, standing at the now long defunct Hill Farms. I happened to be employed there at the time. It was a big deal for us.
- Any of my teen years in the 80’s, when they still had raucous wet t-shirt contests in the back after the races.
Oh man, I am so jealous! I would have given anything to see Niatross so up close like that!
The times I have been were at the breeding farms. I visited him at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and later at Walnridge Farm in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. At Walnridge, I was visiting him with my then-wife and our dog, Benji. The world's greatest horse got to meet the world's greatest dog. They sniffed each other nose to nose under the fence. I wish I had caught that on camera. I took pics from our visit, and if I can find them, I will post them. Niatross was euthanized eight days after that visit. I cried.
Quote from Purple Aura on September 3, 2026, 12:27 PMJug 49 in a few weeks. So many stories. MY favorite Jug was Fake Left winning in three heats with Ron Waples instead of Mickey ( McNichol) McGimmick who went down earlier in the day.
My best score was the Jug Mark MacDonald won. Mr. Feelgood/Takter. Feelgood would race on those bigger tracks and lose every time late. I thought four turns he could hold them off. The best part of my hit was back then they had a Jug future pool that week. MR Feelgood was 25-1 I had 40.00 on him. He won the first heat in world record time and was 3-5 in the last heat. Pretty nice when a horse is 3-5 on the board and you have him at 25-1.
I would be remiss not bringing up the wet t shirt contests. Saw some amazing things. Tits, fights, once again my wasted youth.
MY first Jug was the only time I skipped high school all day. Keystone Ore over Ambro O'Brien. I witnessed Roger Huston get booed when the announced him. He drove in a amateur race earlier was 2-5 literally broke the entire length of the stretch and they left him up. I was so drunk one year I made about 1500.00 or so and mid afternoon couldnt find the money in my pocket. Never did find it. Ever hear of a stooper? Guys who pick up tickets on the ground? I could tell they were scratching ahorse in the Jug Elim right in front of us the driver pointed to the horses legs and shook his head no. I did a 180 to go cancel tickets and CRUSHED a stoopers hands behind me picking up tickets. I heard bones break. hehehe.
For me the JUg changed for the worse after 9-11. No more coolers in the grandstand. Grrrr, they were allowed on the backside. So you could place a bomb in the cooler on the backside just not in front. GRRRR DUH. So many stories. 95% true. LOts of great times. 48 Jugs 27 times Springsteen live. 75 of my best days/nights ever.
Jug 49 in a few weeks. So many stories. MY favorite Jug was Fake Left winning in three heats with Ron Waples instead of Mickey ( McNichol) McGimmick who went down earlier in the day.
My best score was the Jug Mark MacDonald won. Mr. Feelgood/Takter. Feelgood would race on those bigger tracks and lose every time late. I thought four turns he could hold them off. The best part of my hit was back then they had a Jug future pool that week. MR Feelgood was 25-1 I had 40.00 on him. He won the first heat in world record time and was 3-5 in the last heat. Pretty nice when a horse is 3-5 on the board and you have him at 25-1.
I would be remiss not bringing up the wet t shirt contests. Saw some amazing things. Tits, fights, once again my wasted youth.
MY first Jug was the only time I skipped high school all day. Keystone Ore over Ambro O'Brien. I witnessed Roger Huston get booed when the announced him. He drove in a amateur race earlier was 2-5 literally broke the entire length of the stretch and they left him up. I was so drunk one year I made about 1500.00 or so and mid afternoon couldnt find the money in my pocket. Never did find it. Ever hear of a stooper? Guys who pick up tickets on the ground? I could tell they were scratching ahorse in the Jug Elim right in front of us the driver pointed to the horses legs and shook his head no. I did a 180 to go cancel tickets and CRUSHED a stoopers hands behind me picking up tickets. I heard bones break. hehehe.
For me the JUg changed for the worse after 9-11. No more coolers in the grandstand. Grrrr, they were allowed on the backside. So you could place a bomb in the cooler on the backside just not in front. GRRRR DUH. So many stories. 95% true. LOts of great times. 48 Jugs 27 times Springsteen live. 75 of my best days/nights ever.
Quote from Lonnie on September 3, 2026, 12:41 PMQuote from Purple Aura on September 3, 2026, 12:27 PMJug 49 in a few weeks. So many stories. MY favorite Jug was Fake Left winning in three heats with Ron Waples instead of Mickey ( McNichol) McGimmick who went down earlier in the day.
My best score was the Jug Mark MacDonald won. Mr. Feelgood/Takter. Feelgood would race on those bigger tracks and lose every time late. I thought four turns he could hold them off. The best part of my hit was back then they had a Jug future pool that week. MR Feelgood was 25-1 I had 40.00 on him. He won the first heat in world record time and was 3-5 in the last heat. Pretty nice when a horse is 3-5 on the board and you have him at 25-1.
I would be remiss not bringing up the wet t shirt contests. Saw some amazing things. Tits, fights, once again my wasted youth.
MY first Jug was the only time I skipped high school all day. Keystone Ore over Ambro O'Brien. I witnessed Roger Huston get booed when the announced him. He drove in a amateur race earlier was 2-5 literally broke the entire length of the stretch and they left him up. I was so drunk one year I made about 1500.00 or so and mid afternoon couldnt find the money in my pocket. Never did find it. Ever hear of a stooper? Guys who pick up tickets on the ground? I could tell they were scratching ahorse in the Jug Elim right in front of us the driver pointed to the horses legs and shook his head no. I did a 180 to go cancel tickets and CRUSHED a stoopers hands behind me picking up tickets. I heard bones break. hehehe.
For me the JUg changed for the worse after 9-11. No more coolers in the grandstand. Grrrr, they were allowed on the backside. So you could place a bomb in the cooler on the backside just not in front. GRRRR DUH. So many stories. 95% true. LOts of great times. 48 Jugs 27 times Springsteen live. 75 of my best days/nights ever.
GREAT stories! No wonder you go back every year.
I'm dying to know about the other 5%!
Quote from Purple Aura on September 3, 2026, 12:27 PMJug 49 in a few weeks. So many stories. MY favorite Jug was Fake Left winning in three heats with Ron Waples instead of Mickey ( McNichol) McGimmick who went down earlier in the day.
My best score was the Jug Mark MacDonald won. Mr. Feelgood/Takter. Feelgood would race on those bigger tracks and lose every time late. I thought four turns he could hold them off. The best part of my hit was back then they had a Jug future pool that week. MR Feelgood was 25-1 I had 40.00 on him. He won the first heat in world record time and was 3-5 in the last heat. Pretty nice when a horse is 3-5 on the board and you have him at 25-1.
I would be remiss not bringing up the wet t shirt contests. Saw some amazing things. Tits, fights, once again my wasted youth.
MY first Jug was the only time I skipped high school all day. Keystone Ore over Ambro O'Brien. I witnessed Roger Huston get booed when the announced him. He drove in a amateur race earlier was 2-5 literally broke the entire length of the stretch and they left him up. I was so drunk one year I made about 1500.00 or so and mid afternoon couldnt find the money in my pocket. Never did find it. Ever hear of a stooper? Guys who pick up tickets on the ground? I could tell they were scratching ahorse in the Jug Elim right in front of us the driver pointed to the horses legs and shook his head no. I did a 180 to go cancel tickets and CRUSHED a stoopers hands behind me picking up tickets. I heard bones break. hehehe.
For me the JUg changed for the worse after 9-11. No more coolers in the grandstand. Grrrr, they were allowed on the backside. So you could place a bomb in the cooler on the backside just not in front. GRRRR DUH. So many stories. 95% true. LOts of great times. 48 Jugs 27 times Springsteen live. 75 of my best days/nights ever.
GREAT stories! No wonder you go back every year.
I'm dying to know about the other 5%!
Quote from Lonnie on September 3, 2026, 12:42 PMAll of these stories are whetting my appetite to go! I wouldn't go the whole week. Maybe just for Jug day. We'll see. I know one of my friends can't go (Steve). But the others might be open.
All of these stories are whetting my appetite to go! I wouldn't go the whole week. Maybe just for Jug day. We'll see. I know one of my friends can't go (Steve). But the others might be open.
Quote from Purple Aura on September 4, 2026, 10:56 AMJug Sunday-Tuesday. BC at Scioto both Friday and Saturday. Lexington last week of Grand Circuit Thursday-Saturday. That's my road trips.
I think the year after WIJI It's Jug Day about 9am in the morning. Betting windows about to open. I head towards them. This young buckeye already trashed, drinking arm extended fully. He does a 180 turns right into me, leading with his arm extended beer which goes crashing to the ground. He blames me of course, last thing I wanted to do was fight. Got away unscathed. Went and advanced wagered, got in my car about 9:30am and headed home. No more Jug Days, I cant be around that many drunks anymore.
In case you didnt know WIJI= WiggleitJiggleit. That horse killed me in the Jug. Had a nice Jugette/Jug DD going. Miller passed WIJI mid stretch ( dont remember who he drove) and WIJI came back won. I respected his tenaciousness but it cost me $$$$$$.
Jug Sunday-Tuesday. BC at Scioto both Friday and Saturday. Lexington last week of Grand Circuit Thursday-Saturday. That's my road trips.
I think the year after WIJI It's Jug Day about 9am in the morning. Betting windows about to open. I head towards them. This young buckeye already trashed, drinking arm extended fully. He does a 180 turns right into me, leading with his arm extended beer which goes crashing to the ground. He blames me of course, last thing I wanted to do was fight. Got away unscathed. Went and advanced wagered, got in my car about 9:30am and headed home. No more Jug Days, I cant be around that many drunks anymore.
In case you didnt know WIJI= WiggleitJiggleit. That horse killed me in the Jug. Had a nice Jugette/Jug DD going. Miller passed WIJI mid stretch ( dont remember who he drove) and WIJI came back won. I respected his tenaciousness but it cost me $$$$$$.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on September 4, 2026, 3:25 PMWIJI’s foe was Lost For Words, driven by the Buckeye and trained by Delaware’s Brian Brown. It would have been a local celebration. Instead, it turned into a wider celebration because of the grit that WIJI demonstrated. Montrell and George Teague, Clyde Francis, and Big Mike the groom were great performers in their own right. It was a feel good moment for sure. Big Mike invited everyone to the Teague Barn for moonshine all around!
Ed, I guess that I will see you on Tuesday. I don’t get into town until Monday evening. I will look for you in front of the grandstand?
Who and what days will others be there?
I am Tuesday and Wednesday in grandstand. Jug day at my brother’s annual table at the front corner of the Top of the Stretch tent.
WIJI’s foe was Lost For Words, driven by the Buckeye and trained by Delaware’s Brian Brown. It would have been a local celebration. Instead, it turned into a wider celebration because of the grit that WIJI demonstrated. Montrell and George Teague, Clyde Francis, and Big Mike the groom were great performers in their own right. It was a feel good moment for sure. Big Mike invited everyone to the Teague Barn for moonshine all around!
Ed, I guess that I will see you on Tuesday. I don’t get into town until Monday evening. I will look for you in front of the grandstand?
Who and what days will others be there?
I am Tuesday and Wednesday in grandstand. Jug day at my brother’s annual table at the front corner of the Top of the Stretch tent.
Quote from Purple Aura on September 5, 2026, 8:45 AMLost For Words, good call Norm. Tried being sire wasn't that good. I'll see you Tuesday on the apron Norm. Get Lonnie there for Tuesday.
Lost For Words, good call Norm. Tried being sire wasn't that good. I'll see you Tuesday on the apron Norm. Get Lonnie there for Tuesday.