The Little Brown Jug Turns 81: How One Race Put Delaware, Ohio, on the World Stage

The first Little Brown Jug was held in Delaware, Ohio, on September 18, 1946. Eighty years later, the race remains one of harness racing’s most prestigious events and one of Central Ohio’s most distinctive traditions.

For most of the year, Delaware feels like a growing Central Ohio community with a beautiful downtown, an active university, established neighborhoods, new construction, local restaurants, and plenty of familiar faces.

Then Jug Week arrives.

Suddenly, the Delaware County Fairgrounds becomes the center of the harness-racing world.

Visitors fill the grandstands.

Horse trailers roll into town.

The fairgrounds come alive.

And a community north of Columbus carries on a tradition that began 80 years ago with nine horses, four heats, and one unforgettable winner.

The 81st Little Brown Jug will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Before we look ahead to this year’s race, let’s travel back to where it all started.

What Was Delaware Like When the First Jug Was Run?

The first Little Brown Jug took place on September 18, 1946.

Delaware’s population was only 8,944 according to the 1940 census. Sandusky Street was the heart of the business district, the Strand Theatre was a major source of entertainment, and places like Bun’s Restaurant and the Village Diner helped define local life.

Then approximately 27,000 people arrived for the inaugural race.

Think about that for a moment.

The crowd was roughly three times the population of the entire city.

For one day, this small Ohio community became one of the most important places in harness racing.

The event helped change how travelers experienced Delaware. As the race grew, businesses and services followed, including gas stations and lodging for visitors traveling Routes 23 and 42.

That is what major community traditions can do.

They create memories, but they can also shape a place economically and culturally.

How Did the Little Brown Jug Begin?

According to a historical account by John Berry in Harness Racing Update, attorney Joe Neville played an important role in bringing Grand Circuit racing to Delaware.

The story goes that Neville failed to send a telegram declining proposed Grand Circuit dates.

Whether it was forgetfulness, strategy, or a little bit of both, that missed message helped set something much larger in motion.

Delaware Gazette editor Hank Thomson became race secretary.

Thomson reportedly questioned the decision because he knew little about horses. Neville’s reasoning was practical: putting the local newspaper editor in charge was one way to make sure the event received publicity.

It worked.

The race became a story.

Then it became a tradition.

Eventually, it became an institution.

What Happened During the First Race?

The inaugural Little Brown Jug featured nine horses, including seven colts and two fillies.

The purse was $35,358, a record amount at the time. Harness Racing Update estimates that would represent more than $600,000 in today’s money.

Unlike a typical single-race championship, it took four heats to determine the first winner.

Royal Chief won the first heat.

Ensign Hanover won the second in a photo finish.

His Lady captured the third.

That meant the three heat winners returned for a deciding fourth race.

Ensign Hanover, driven by Curly Smart, waited behind the leader before making his move and catching His Lady near the finish.

With that final push, Ensign Hanover became the first official winner of the Little Brown Jug.

Ohio Governor Frank Lausche joined the winning connections in the winner’s circle.

A new American racing classic had been born.

Who Was Curly Smart?

Curly Smart was more than the winning driver.

He was also one of the people responsible for preparing and maintaining the Delaware track.

His skill in both roles became legendary.

One of the greatest examples came in 1965, when heavy rain turned the track into what appeared to be an unusable sea of mud.

Instead of giving up, Smart and his crew brought in county equipment and worked to restore the half-mile oval.

The race began about an hour late.

More than 40,000 fans waited.

The track did not merely become usable. It became fast enough for Bret Hanover t