Ohio native Brian Brown heads into the state's most prestigious race with a powerful one-two punch Thursday. He trains morning-line favorites Downbytheseaside (2-1) and Fear The Dragon (7-2) as they gear up for a run in the $590,400 Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds

Downbytheseaside, to be driven by Hall of Famer Brian Sears, won the $500,000 Art Rooney Pace and Messenger Stakes at Yonkers and the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park during a 9-for-13 season. He has earned $1.6 million for owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo and Diamond Creek Racing. He will start from post 5 in the field of eight. 

Emerald Highland Farms' Fear The Dragon has a similar resume. He is a $1.2 million earner with wins in the $730,000 North America Cup at Mohawk, $500 Max Hempt Memorial at Pocono Downs and $400,000 Adios Pace at the The Meadows. He will be handled by Hall of Famer David Miller, the all-time leading driver at the fairgrounds. 

The full  field, from the rail out, are: Funknwaffles (Corey Callahan, 10-1), Fillibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras, 5-1), Fear The Dragon (David Miller, 7-2), Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley, 12-1), Downbytheseaside (Brian Sears, 2-1), Boogie Shuffle (Scott Zeron, 6-1), R J P (Tim Tetrick, 15-1) and Chip Walther (Marcus Miller, 20-1).

The eight entrants will race in the $188,928 first heat, vying for post positions in the final later that same day. The winner of the $401,472 final heat will be declared the 72nd Jug champion.

Brown and Emerald Highlands owner Bruce Trogdon also will be well-represented in Wednesday afternoon's signature race -- the $273,250 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

Blazin Britches, 9-for-10 this year, is the 6-to-5 morning-line favorite in the first of two eliminations. The daugher of 2010 Little Brown Jug champion Rock N Roll Heaven will start from post 3 for driver Trace Tetrick. She won the $63,475 Adios Volo, $113,000 Shady Daisy and $160,000 Nadia Lobell during a current five-race winning streak.

Caviart Alley (Andrew McCarthy), first or second in her last five starts, is the favorite in the second $54,650 elimination. The top four finishers from each heat will advance to the finals.