Delaware County Fair: Betting Line blitzes field in first Little Brown Jug elimination

Betting Line scored his 12th consecutive victory, rolling to a dominant victory in his $92,320 elimination heat of the Little Brown Jug for 3-year-old colt pacers. After a brief break in his last start on a half-mile track in the Milstein at Northfield earlier this year, he had no issues today.

Driven by David Miller, Betting Line got away fifth in the field of six and worked out a second-over trip behind Lyons Snyder (Sylvain Filion). They would chase Check Six (Yannick Gingras), who led the way through fractions of 27 1/5, 56, and 1:23 4/5.

Lyons Snyder got the advantage on the outside of Check Six as they raced in the final turn, but Miller cut Betting Line loose for the drive, and he surged past the leaders and pulled away to win by about three lengths in 1:50 4/5. Lyons Snyder was second, Dr J Hanover (Scott Zeron) was up for third, and Check Six wound up fourth.

"It actually worked out just like I kind of thought it would," Miller said. "Yannick left, and I was able to pick up good cover. He actually took me farther than I thought he would. My horse, he was strong the whole way, and just anxious to go any time I asked him. He finished good. He was good and strong there.

"I feel pretty good about him. He's been a great horse, and he's been a pleasure to drive. I know he had a little hiccup there at Northfield, but (trainer Casie Coleman's) got him going pretty good."

Coleman trains Betting Line, a colt by Blue Chip Farms stallion Bettor's Delight, for owners West wins Stable, Christine Calhoun, and Mac Nichol. This was the 18th career victory for the earner of over $1.5 million, and he paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 choice.

"I'm really happy we decided to take the invite when Northfield was nice enough to invite us to race there now because he never did that to me on the bigger track all that much," said Coleman. "We brought his hobbles up an inch today and had a little sharper headpole on the inside. He's got a jaw-breaker on also to help David steer him a little better around the turns."