The Acid test on 2 and 3 year olds are 3 races

[JT]

Most of the top horses skipped it so they probably discontinued it.

This is the correct answer
Usually only one or two LBJ  eligible horses would run it
Sire stakes finals are more lucrative
Pennsylvania on September 6th
Ohio on September 12th

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

It is ridiculous that it is raced on a Thursday afternoon. They could easily double their exposure if it was on a Saturday afternoon. However, I hear the NFL is considering moving the Super Bowl to Wednesday morning. 

[toothman]

The Metro. $1 Million.  (CA)

The NA Cup  $1 Million. (CA)

The Little Brown Jug


Although the Jug doesnt go for a Million it  separates

the men from the boys if you can get to the 2nd heat/Final

after winning an elim


Very few horses have navigated these 3 races successfully

I like this idea.
Although the Triple Crown was comprised of the Cane, Messenger and Jug,-all half mile tracks-, half mile racing has been reduced to a boring predictable product.

Having a series of sorts raced on different size ovals could be exciting and refreshing.
I remember the International and Realization /Trot raced at what, a mile and a half and they had built in excitement because it was different and rare.
 
Just spitballing here-throwing it out for your consideration

[Sweet]

Why call it the triple anything, call it the
Four Crown Jewels of Harness Racing...


1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and 1 mile races 

Think big, out of the box, not like your aping someone successful like the t-breds for a fucking failure 

[Sweet]

Why call it the triple anything, call it the
Four Crown Jewels of Harness Racing...


1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and 1 mile races 

Think big, out of the box, not like your aping someone successful like the t-breds for a fucking failure 

Let's say each of the four series is limited to 20 horses.  It starts like a KYD point / money system from when they are 2.

For a separate pool each horse's connections entered has to put up $25,000 per race they race in.

20 horses x 4 races x $25000 = $2,000,000 winner take all.

In addition to the purses.

Which should be $1,000,000 per race.

You win all 4 races you make $4,000,000. ($2mil purses + $2mil bonus)

That will make tv possibly (1 hour event  ) - 4 part series - run every 3 weeks so it wraps up in 9 weeks.

No one horse wins the 4CJ, split it amongst the top 5 point finishers of the series just like a purse.

Colts, geldings, fillies allowed! 

[Brown jug]

yes the jug has changed the post position draws for the final which will make it more intriguing
as for the race being on thursday it seems to do just fine , gives them a spot all to themselves without competition against other tracks or sports
the two heat racing is awesome
i find it odd that todays horses are so much more refined and better animals than 20 years ago but apparently cant race 2 heats now ,
the jug must be the final race of any new triple crown, it still draws the most attention both inside and outside the sport

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

yes the jug has changed the post position draws for the final which will make it more intriguing
as for the race being on thursday it seems to do just fine , gives them a spot all to themselves without competition against other tracks or sports
the two heat racing is awesome
i find it odd that todays horses are so much more refined and better animals than 20 years ago but apparently cant race 2 heats now ,
the jug must be the final race of any new triple crown, it still draws the most attention both inside and outside the sport

Your logic is exactly why Harness Racing is nearly dead.

[JT]

Like I mentioned earlier..it's a combo of racing on a half and the 2 heats that keep horses away from the LBJ. The one thing that would not surprise me and MIGHT happen in my lifetime is that the divisions/ eliminations are raced on a Saturday a week and a half before the LBJ at Scioto and then just the final at Delaware. I would hate to see that happen, and of course the LBJ society and the fair board would adamantly oppose that to happen...just saying would not surprise me.
Also them racing the entire meet during the daytime is stupid..everyone under 65 is at work. That is no way to grow a dying sport. There is no lighting around the track.
Sunday afternoon is fine.. a few days during the week should be a 5 or 6pm post time
Either invest in a lighting system or bring in temporary.
The fairgrounds has a lot of $ on hand now because of the new bed tax
The way they choose to spend it is laughable.

[Kenny]

Like I mentioned earlier..it's a combo of racing on a half and the 2 heats that keep horses away from the LBJ. The one thing that would not surprise me and MIGHT happen in my lifetime is that the divisions/ eliminations are raced on a Saturday a week and a half before the LBJ at Scioto and then just the final at Delaware. I would hate to see that happen, and of course the LBJ society and the fair board would adamantly oppose that to happen...just saying would not surprise me.
Also them racing the entire meet during the daytime is stupid..everyone under 65 is at work. That is no way to grow a dying sport. There is no lighting around the track.
Sunday afternoon is fine.. a few days during the week should be a 5 or 6pm post time
Either invest in a lighting system or bring in temporary.
The fairgrounds has a lot of $ on hand now because of the new bed tax
The way they choose to spend it is laughable.

Your post is why harness racing is dying. The Jug is a long standing tradition.  The town shuts down including the schools. As harness racing has turned its back on it roots the fans have disappeared. The Jug is the most attended harness race in North America. All of the races which were contested in heats should be restored. The is marketing gold.

[JT]

Your post is why harness racing is dying. The Jug is a long standing tradition.  The town shuts down including the schools. As harness racing has turned its back on it roots the fans have disappeared. The Jug is the most attended harness race in North America. All of the races which were contested in heats should be restored. The is marketing gold.

I know about the schools. I lived here my whole life
I didn't say I wanted that to happen. I said it would not surprise me if it did
The attendance is half of what it used to be
Trust me I have had my eyes on it in person since 1980
I hated that they got rid of the 3rd heat possibility.
It was gotten rid of to try and attract bigger fields