Nihilator Wins the Little Brown Jug Over Stablemate

Nihilator lived up to advance billing at Delaware, Ohio, on Thursday, sweeping to a half-length victory over stablemate Pershing Square in the Little Brown Jug, the third leg of pacing’s Triple Crown.

The 3-year-old improved his record to 26 victories in 28 starts by winning an elimination heat and then circling the Delaware County Fairgrounds’ half-mile track in 1:52 1/5 in the final.

Dignatarian finished third, another half-length behind Pershing Square.

Bill O’Donnell drove Nihilator to victory in the first elimination in 1:53 1/5. O’Donnell then drove Pershing Square in the other elimination, winning in 1:52 4/5 before a record crowd of 47,153.