Jug changes conditions!

Yesterday we spoke about Steve Elliott’s reaction to the Jug conditions that allowed for first-heat splits of 9 and 10 horses for a 19-horse field.

Shari Hazlett had this reply to our blog:

I was so glad to see you asking this question. As an avid harness racing fan I was appalled that they went with two eliminations. I cannot believe that they have two trailers in one division and one in the other with the outer horses (including Well Said) basically being in as bad a position as you would ever think of in your nightmare.

To begin with, there should NEVER be trailers in an elimination and ESPECIALLY on a half mile track. Last year everyone was critical that Somebeachsomewhere was not in the Jug. After seeing this performance, I can totally understand why the Beach wasn't there. What if this had happened and he got the eight hole or, even worse, a trailer position. If the Jug wants to keep its place as a prominent race for 3-year-olds, they had better think very strongly about how they decide how many elims there will be. I give credit to Well Said's connections for racing him. If I was the owner, he would suddenly be ill the day before the Jug and wouldn't be in it.

Harness racing wonders why they struggle for fans. This is a perfect example. Just by the "luck" of the draw, Well Said the best 3year-old, may lose this race. That is absurd.

 

Well, Shari, it looks like the Jug already heard you! A release came today that said the Little Brown Jug Society had approves changes in future draws effective in 2010. The statement requiring a split for a set number of entries has been eliminated, and race officials now will determine splits based on the number of entries.  Society directors admitted they were concerned at having to set nine and 10 horse divisions for the 2009 race and would have liked to have split the 19 entries into three divisions, but the current conditions did not permit that. 

 

It’s great to see the Jug taking swift action on an unfortunate situation. Here is wishing everyone the best in the 2009 Jug—and I hope to see you at the Delaware races and the Speaker Series!

 

Nicole