Always Cam and driver Eric Ledford captured the $294,950 Jugette for
3-year-old pacing fillies in straight heats on Wednesday afternoon at
the Delaware, Ohio County Fairgrounds.

Always Cam took the lead at the start of the second heat, controlled
the pace and out-sprinted the field to win by three and one-quarter
lengths over Maureen Hanover (Luc Ouellette) and Lady Graceful (John
Campbell) in 1:533.


OK Corral Hanover, left, is on a break as the field leaves for the
second heat of the Jugette
Second elimination winner, OK Corral Hanover (Randy Waples) lost her
chances at the start when she made a break in stride and was forced
to play catch up.

Waples summed up the costly break by saying "I lost her for a few
steps, but I was going to lose here anyway. I think the first heat
took too much out of her."

"When OK Corral Hanover broke stride that changed the complexion of
the race. She (Always Cam) was comfortable and easy to drive," noted
Ledford, who captured his second Jugette win.

The daughter of Western Hanover has now scored nine victories in 15
starts this year for Cam Land LLC and trainer Bill Zendt.

In the first elimination division, Dave Palone sent Modern Life
quickly off of the gate. Roses For Sammie (George Brennan) and Lady
Graceful (John Campbell) were parked at the quarter in :264. Lady
Graceful took the lead just past the three-eighths and then Always
Cam and Eric Ledford were the first to pull at the half-mile mark.

Always Cam cleared the field before the pole and held off the late
rally of Maureen Hanover (David Miller).


USTA Photos by Ed Keys

A happy winner's circle is the result of Always Cam's victory in the
32nd Jugette
"It wasn't an ideal trip, but that's what you expect from the seven
hole. I had enough to win this heat, and hopefully she can come back
in the next heat," noted Ledford.

The winning time of 1:524 was just one-fifth of a second off the
stakes record held by Towner's Image (1993) and Eternal Camnation
(2000). A tiring Lady Graceful held-on for the show spot. Modern Life
also advanced to what proved to be the final.

The second elimination got off to an orderly start. OK Corral Hanover
(Randall Waples) defended the rail and led the field to the quarter-
mile mark in :27. Mario Baillargeon sent Cam Swifty after the leader
and OK Corral Hanover refused to yield, parking the 1-2 favorite.

OK Corral Hanover opened a one length lead over Always An Art (David
Miller) through the three-quarters in 1:224 and OK Corral Hanover
held on for a two length victory over Always An Art in 1:533 as Cam
Swifty and Return To Me (Brett Miller) also moved on to the $159,273
second heat of the Jugette.