Who needs horse shoes? Jeggie has the whole horse

DELAWARE, Ohio Sept.16, 2008 - Reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. knows a thing or two about winning. He has four world titles to his credit as well as 53 national event trophies. So when he picked a horse named "Badlands Nitro" to win the world-renowned Little Brown Jug harness race, which takes place in Coughlin's hometown of Delaware, Ohio, people with horse sense took notice.

The horse with the decidedly drag racing-themed name and his handlers invited Delaware's famous son out for a visit on the eve of the five-day 63rd annual Little Brown Jug slate of races. It was "Badlands Nitro's" way of saying thanks for helping him become the prohibitive favorite in the half-mile race.

"If he can win a half-mile race, just a little of his mojo should help me out tremendously on the quarter-mile," said Coughlin, currently third in the world rankings, just one and a half rounds off the lead. "I think we're in for a horse race of our own down the stretch of the Countdown to 1 so I'm going to root for "Badlands Nitro" to take the win this week and then we'll try to follow up in Dallas."

Coughlin had a photo op with "Badlands Nitro" and assistant trainer Brenda Teague.

The Little Brown Jug is recognized as the top harness race in the world for 3-year-old pacing horses. Since its inception in 1946, the majority of the quickest and fastest half-mile performances in harness racing history have been set at Delaware Ohio County Fairgrounds during the Little Brown Jug event.

This year's Jug spans five days, Sept. 14-18, with the main event taking place Thursday, Sept. 18. The top prize is $480,000, making it the richest race of its kind.