As we approach the Little Brown Jug next week, first and foremost is the Ohio Selected Jug Sale on Friday, September 17th. This year 280 yearlings were entered into the sale, on par with the 278 entered last year, of which 272 passed through the sales ring. The sales gross for the 2020 edition was just over $6.7 million, an average of $24,665 per yearling, and it is expected that number will be eclipsed this year. All eyes focused on the pacing side this year will likely be on Downbytheseaside's second crop, as he attracted the most attention at the 2020 Ohio Selected Jug Sale. After having 37 yearlings bring an average of over $30,000, including three six-figure yearlings, the son of Somebeachsomewhere has 44 yearlings entered in the 2021 sale. Diamond Creek Farm believes they are well-positioned in Ohio with Downbytheseaside and are selling almost 20 percent of his offspring at the sale, and Adam Bowden, Owner and President of Diamond Creek Farm, is extremely high on their consignment. "We are featuring three of the best-looking and best-bred (Downbytheseaside) horses in the sale," said Bowden, referring to HIPs 146, 207 and 208. HIP 146 Badger is a half-brother to Caliber, a winner in 1:48 4/5, and is out of the world champion Allstar Rating, who is from the tremendous maternal family of Delinquent Account, producer of the great Artiscape. HIP 207 Hysterical is a half-sister to Kentucky Commonwealth winner Boston, who has already taken a mark of 1:50 3/5 as a 2-year-old, and HIP 208 Aqueduct is the third foal out of Gettingreadytoroll and from the immediate family of the super-sire Western Hanover. In addition, his half-brother Cruise was twice a winner as a 2-year-old, including the consolation of the Kentucky Sires Stakes. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter "We are loaded with great Seasides," said Bowden, "and the sales are full of top-level horses that can compete in Ohio and on the Grand Circuit. Look out world!" Bowden is also extremely bullish on Downbytheseaside's prospects moving forward as a stallion. "He has continued to be supported by a great group of breeders in and out of Ohio, and we expect tremendous interest when we start taking booking applications this fall," said Bowden. "In fact, the demand is already so strong that his book will be closed before it opens." Downbytheseaside is about four weeks removed from needing emergency colic surgery, and Bowden indicated things are moving in the right direction. "The reports I get from New Zealand have been and continue to be positive since his colic surgery," said Bowden. "With no definitive plans set, the horse may be collected ahead of schedule if he continues to improve." Spring Haven Farm has had the sales-topper for six consecutive years, and they will take another swing at that crown with 20 yearlings entered for this year's sale. Last year, the sales-topper at $120,000 was Springbridge Dragn, a son of Fear The Dragon out of Stonebridge Damsel, purchased by Ron Burke. This year, Spring Haven Farm is hoping lightning strikes twice as they offer a full brother to that colt in HIP 101 Stonebridge Fear. Fear The Dragon is poised for another strong sale, with 42 of his yearlings set to pass through the sales ring. Spring Haven Farm also has their fill of Downbytheseaside yearlings, including HIP 115 Sea Account, a colt out of $331,000 earner Eyewitness Account, who produced a Downbytheseaside colt that is now 2 and recently qualified for Ron Burke. In addition, Spring Haven Farm will present HIP 122, a Downbytheseaside colt whose full brother sold at the Ohio Selected Jug Sale last year for $100,000 to Brian Brown and HIP 151 Sea Sand, a Downbytheseaside filly whose full brother sold for $50,000 last year to Brian Brown and is already a winner as a 2-year-old in Buckeye Stallion Series competition. Their most intriguing Seaside yearling on paper could be HIP 184 Stonebridge Skippy, who is the first foal out of the Shadow Play mare Skippin By, a winner of over $880,000 on the racetrack. Spring Haven Farm is also well-represented on the trotting side, especially when it comes to What the Hill, who is set to be all the trotting rage as his 2-year-olds are off to a tremendous start on the racetrack. He is another second-crop stallion that should be extremely popular at the sales. HIP 14 What A Mission is one of the many offspring of What The Hill that may catch the eye. He is a half-brother to world champion Barn Girl, who made over $860,000 on the racetrack, consigned by Walnut Valley Equine, and his sister, Whatboutme, was purchased from this sale for $37,000 last year. HIP 32 Action JBS is out of the champion trotting mare Action-Broadway and is a half-sister to Action Uncle, who was a dominant force in Ohio, winning Ohio Horse of the Year honors last year. Steiner Stock Farm is poised to have a strong sale as well, with no less than 15 yearlings entered. Steiner's Farm Manager Al Manke referred to their roster as a, "good consignment with some standouts." Notably, HIP 139 Elusive Beauty, who is a Downbytheseaside sister to Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa and to Whichwaytothebeach, who finished third in this past weekend's North America Cup. This filly looks like a legitimate threat to be the sales-topper. Also, Steiner Stock Farm has HIP 154 Dragon Silk, a Fear the Dragon sister to Sea Silk, who is an Ohio Sires Stakes champion and world record holder. Uncle Peter is well represented with a full brother to world champion It's Academic (HIP 5 - Ante Up), who took a mark of 1:50 3/5 among his 19 victories, consigned by Hickory Lane Horse Farm. Last year, this colt's full sister sold at this same sale for $34,000 and she has placed third in an Ohio Sires Stakes leg in 2021 as a 2-year-old for trainer Ron Burke. In addition, HIP 11 Itinerary is a daughter of Uncle Peter from the family of Hambletonian winner Continentialvictory and is a full sister to Never Say Uncle, a 10-time winning earner of $163,968. Midland Acres brings a full consignment of 33 yearlings, including HIP 51 Cincinnati Lad, a three-quarter brother to $548,000 earner and 67-time winner Camera Lady. HIP 75 Alfred Hanover is a Fear The Dragon colt that is a three-quarter brother to millionaire Aracache Hanover and a half-brother to Lyons Snyder, who earned over $537,000 with a mark of 1:48 1/5. HIP 204 Sriracha Heat is also by Fear The Dragon and his dam is a half-sister to millionaires Heston Blue Chip and Sunfire Blue Chip. The Ohio Selected Jug Sale confirms what we already knew. The state of harness racing in Ohio is strong. The future is bright, and there is much to look forward to!