Jug Eliminations Lonestar Legend Art Official
Badlands Nitro Qualified For Final in Delaware Pacing Classic
Sep 22, 2008
The 2008 Little Brown Jug wasn't supposed to be a showdown among (third elim winner) Art Official, Lonestar Legend, (second elim champion), Badlands Nitro, and eventual winner Shadow Play in the elimination heats. It was supposed to be Somebeachsomewhere's biggest day.
Co-owner and trainer of Somebeachsomewhere, Brent Mcgrath, said early on that he didn't want to involve his dashing pacing wonder in the Little Brown Jug because of his star having to run two heats, perhaps even three, in one afternoon to determine the Jug championship.
Three Heats Equaled Three Winners
What Mcgrath feared worst almost came about in this year's Little Brown Jug.
With three different elimination winners shoved to the "final" second heat, the possibility of a fourth winner was viable. That circumstance would force the scenario Mcgrath had wanted to avoid -- a fifth race to gain a two-heat winner. One pacer must win his elimination race and a second heat to be crowned Jug champion.
Three separate winners in the three qualifying elims left the door open in the "final" second heat for another victor to step into the mix and force the running of another mile as a pace-off among the four winners.
Shadow Play Rocked the Crowd
The world speed record of 1:50 for pacers held by Mr. Feelgood (2006) was equaled by the erratic Shadow Play in elim one. Eventually, in what became the final second heat, Shadow Play prevailed, breaking the world record for two heats and the Jug record of 1:50.3 with his outstanding 1:50.1 effort.
Lonestar Legend had stepped to the plate and shattered Shadow Play's first effort with his swift pace of 1:49.3 in the second elimination..
The first three placers of all three eliminations went to the second heat with the exception of Badlands Nitro. He suffered a judge's disqualification. That left just eight pacers in the final heat, rather than the expected nine entrants.
Little Brown Jug Heat Qualifiers and Drivers
Elim No. 1 - Shadow Play; David Miller ----- (2nd) Badlands Nitro; Brian Sears (did not race in second heat) ----- (3rd) Giddy Up Lucky; Paul MacKenzie.
Elim No. 2 - Lonestar Legend; David Miller ----- (2nd) Rudy Rednose; Brian Sears ----- (3rd) Mystery Chase; John Campbell.
Elim No. 3 - Art Official; Ron Pierce ----- (2nd) Santana Blue Chip; Jody Jamieson ----- (3rd) Goddess's Justin; Tim Tetrick.
David Miller went with Shadow Play in the second heat, giving David Palone Lonestar Legend in the final mile.
