Driver Greg Grismore got Good News Lady up by a neck over John Campbell-driven Sprig Hanover in a Race-off heat for the three-year-old filly Jugette championship. It was the first Jugette Race-off heat since 1997. The $300,475 Jugette was run on the fourth day of Little Brown Jug week at the Delaware County fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio.
In the dash to the wire, Campbell had Sprig Hanover in the lead, but Grismore urged Good News Lady off the pylons, and she prevailed. The last quarter went in a tepid :26.4, while the final time was recorded as 2:05.1, but the final sprint put on by the two fillies was a thriller.
With the win, Good News Lady increased her personal bank roll to $695,322.
The Delaware harness racing competitions featured five days of pace and trot battles which culminated in the boys' three-elimination Jug won by Shadow Play on September 18.
Sprig Hanover Wins Photo Finish
Grismore's game Western Ideal filly, Good News Lady, had broken stride in the second elimination heat earlier in the day (17th Race) after winning the first elim (13th Race) by a half length over Dreamlands Latte, reined by David Miller, in time of 1:53.1. In the bike for third place in the13th was Tim Tetrick with Thong, eight lengths back.
After Good News Lady was out of contention in the second elim, Campbell and Sprig Hanover made their statement. Dreamlands Latte battled early to take control, beating off a charge from Miss Scarlet, driven by Brian Sears, and Cartniverous, with Eric Goodell in the cart.
Campbell and Sprig Hanover sat chilly behind the pacesetters, who clipped the oval in 1:24.4 past the three-quarters marker; then Campbell gave his lady her cue, and she responded to gain the lead by a hair as Thong made her move from behind them.
It was a four-filly photo shoot at the wire.
The hairline finish was Sprig Hanover, Dreamlands Latte, Cartniverous, and Thong.
Connections of Sprig Hanover and Good News Lady
Sprig Hanover is an AllAmerican Native filly out of Special Beauty, by Rustler Hanover. She has multiple owners: J. D. Critelli, Lockport, New York; W. L. Switala, Clarence City, New Jersey; and J. J. Martin, also of Clarence City.
Owners of Good News Lady include Brittany Farms, Val D'or Farms, and Christina Takter. She is out of Whats New, by Falcon Seelster.
Classic Lane Captures The Buckette
In the day's 8th Race, David Miller drove three-year-old Classic Lane to victory in 1:55.3 to win the $82,830 Buckette. A half length back was Charged Freight, driven by Raymond Paver.
Classic Lane is a Lindy Lane--Hearland Classic, by Super Bowl filly owned by Hatfield Stables of Columbus, Ohio.
