Photo of Slick as Silk and Doug Rideout by Dr. Alan White
Indiana has a strong county fair program and the first round of action is set for Wednesday, June 3 at the Converse Fairgrounds. A total of 19 races will be contested on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) with 13 of those dedicated to two-year-old pacers, Indiana’s first look at the newcomers.
Each year, there are new bloodlines represented and this season will showcase the first Indiana crop of Pet Rock, who relocated to Indiana after the 2022 breeding season. His first crop hits the track this season and with only 12 registered foals, there are several in the lineup at Converse. Pet Rock was very successful in Ohio with one millionaire, Sectionline Bigry, and six sub 1:50 performers, including 2024 Dan Patch winner Dunkin’. The first Indiana foal slated to compete is in the third race as Vel My First Dream will begin from post two for driver Clint Coy and Trainer Larry King. The filly is out of the former ISFC contender Velstraightdreamer, who was also campaigned by King. Vel My First Dream is her first foal and she has a yearling this year, also a filly by Pet Rock, named Vel My Moms Avel.
While Pet Rock sees his first Indiana crop on the track, Keystone Velocity sees his final Indiana crop on the track this season. After standing one season in New Jersey, Keystone Velocity stood at stud for four years in Indiana and exited to Prince Edward Island after the 2023 breeding season. He has several slated to start at Converse including the first race with the filly Vel That’s My Girl, driven by Doug Rideout for Larry King.
The first race will also include the debut of Northern Lei Ann’s latest foal Northern Nightstar. The Capt Midnight filly begins from post two for trainer-driver Jeff Dever on her home track. Her dam, Northern Lei Ann, was a successful race mare on the Indiana circuit, earning more than $200,000 and a mark of 1:52.1. She has produced eight starters from nine of racing age, including Northern Rocknroll (1:52.4, $221,000) and Northern Cadilac (1:50.1, $172,000).
The second race also features a former Indiana race mare’s first foal as Slick as Silk will begin from post six for trainer-driver Doug Rideout. Pure Cotton, owned by Dr. Alan and Carol White, completed her racing campaign with 17 wins and more than $225,,000 in earnings. The one-time ISFC contender earned her career best time of 1:50.2 at Plainridge as a four-year-old. She retired in June of her five-year-old season and was in foal that year, which is Slick as Silk. Her second foal is a yearling this year, a colt named Zevon by JK Endofanera for the Whites.
The first day of action at Converse begins at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. In addition to the two-year-old pacers, six races will include three-year-old trotters. The second session is set for Thursday, June 4 and will feature two-year-old trotters and three-year-old pacers. The draw for the Thursday program will be held Monday.
