Pennsylvanian wins contest

Anthony Beltrami of Bethlehem, PA is “feeling good” about the 2006 Little Brown Jug. Beltrami vaulted from 15th place to win the Little Brown Jug Fantasy Contest following Mr. Feelgood’s victory in the 61st renewal of the pacing classic.

Beltrami edged Jeff Johnson of Thornville, Ohio, by a 1,478 to 1,466 margin to win the first-place prize, a $7,000 John Deere Buck ATV, courtesy of John Deere and the U.S. Trotting Association-Harness Tracks of America members benefit program. Beltrami also received tickets to the 2007 Little Brown Jug.

Beltrami added Mr. Feelgood to his stable on Sept. 14, two days before entries were made for the Jug--and the last day for players to activate horses in their stable for the Jug.

“I remember Jimmy Takter saying early on that Mr. Feelgood was as good as any 3 year old out there this year," said Beltrami of his decision to include Mr. Feelgood in his stable. "I also knew that no other horse was faster off the gate and that speed horses always do well in the Jug. I also had a hunch and a lot of luck!”

Beltrami’s stable also included Armbro Deuce, Jereme’s Jet, Total Truth and Western Ace. He scored 112 points in the eliminations and 500 points for having the Jug winner. “My dad took me to Pocono Downs when I was six uears old and I have been a fan ever since. I have never been to the Little Brown Jug but I am looking forward to it.“

The Jug Fantasy winner has owned Standardbreds since 1986. “I own them under the name Free Money Stable LLC which has horses in Canada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I also own some under the name 50-12 Stable, LLC, which has a horse (Get A Cab) that won today (Oct. 3) at The Red Mile.”

The Jug Fantasy contest is a joint venture between the Delaware County Fair and www.harnessracing.com, the daily news site of The Horseman and Fair World magazine, and is sponsored by Youbet.com.

Other prizes include popular electronics, a $500 betting voucher and souvenir jackets, shirts and hats. The jackets, shirts and hats are provided by Jim Winske’s Embroidery Ltd., the Little Brown Jug sponsor.

Jug Fantasy players selected 10 horses along with two trainers and two drivers. Each player activated five horses from their 10-horse stable before each of 14 scheduled contest races leading up to and including the eliminations and final of the Little brown Jug.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers: Michael Notarius, Clarence, NY (1,454); Michael Beltrami , Freeland, PA (1,370); Sylvia Schueler, Sacramento, CA (1,358); Mike Wenrich, High Bridge, NJ (1,357); Johnny Kish, Windsor, Ont (1,315); James Guagliardo, Sacramento, CA (1,278); Jason Primm, Newark, DE (1,267); and Harold Willis, Melbourne, CA (1,209).

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