The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) held its sixth meeting of 2026 for the Board of Directors Monday, June 8 at the ISA Offices in Greenfield. A full agenda extended the meeting past two hours as the organization is in full mode for the 2026 racing season.

ISA President John DeLong called the meeting to order with Executive Director Tony Renz making a special phone call to longtime ISA lobbyist Mike McDaniel, who is now retired. DeLong told McDaniel he is one of three for the latest class of inductees into the Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame. McDaniel will be joined by Steve Cross, former track announcer and sales manager of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, and Joe Davis, longtime president of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. McDaniel was humbled and at a loss for words regarding the honor.

Delong went on to note McDaniel was instrumental in passing legislation that placed money earmarked to horse racing directly to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to safeguard the money from other state expenditures, which came up each year. McDaniel worked with former Senator Luke Kenley to ensure horse racing purses and funding was protected in Indiana. McDaniel was also instrumental in developing the Governor’s Cup Championships on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit culminating with escalated purses at the Indiana State Fair.

Current ISA Lobbyist Matt Norris gave a short report on legislative updates and said the attention will now be placed on outreach. The hope is to host Legislative Days again at farms in Central Indiana to educate and expose legislators to the importance of horse racing.

Executive Director Renz noted he is currently working with Purdue on a potential economic impact study for release next year, which would provide valuable information to legislators for the importance of horse racing in the state, which affects all 92 counties.

President DeLong called for an election committee to be established for this fall’s ISA Director Election. Zach Miller will chair the committee.

Director Jay Hochstetler noted cost for the current Clinic at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will require additional fees next year, which the board approved to cover and move forward. Director Robert Taylor talked about several works in progress at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, including water in the paddock. DeLong noted two blood gas machines have been ordered with Renz providing a delivery date later in June.

Director Jamie Macomber gave an update on the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale set for this fall. She said they have approved over 400 yearlings and their target is to sell 400 at the event. Discussion was held to potentially have a breeding auction with money raised enhancing current ISA initiatives. The ISA hopes to get more breeders involved in activities and processes for the state’s racing program.

Director Rhys Helt went over budgetary aspects for ISA and recently met with officials at the IHRC. He has been exploring ways to capitalize on funds in the ISA budget which will not only safeguard the money, but would provide a way for the money to grow, benefiting members of the ISA with long term goals of adding more benefits to the membership, all while staying under the current guidelines and bylaws for the organization. Helt was commended for his work to place the ISA in a better fiscal position.

Director Zach Miller noted the next deadline for college assistance is July 15. Director Doug Rideout gave an update on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, noting 39 heats for the first week of action. He also said feedback has been very positive on the new video service provided for the ISFC this year.

Director Carrie Hollman noted several promotional activities coming up, including the new Owner’s Club which begins Friday, June 26. The event will be held in the Top of the Park from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on select Friday evenings. She said to encourage owners to attend and bring their friends to learn more about horse ownership.

Owner’s Night is slated for July 31 featuring giveaways and catering from Mel’s in Shelbyville. Hollman reported the ISA currently has 877 members and encouraged ISA Directors to come up with premium item ideas for Indiana Sires Stakes Finals Night to enhance a silent auction.

Renz had several items for approvals which fell under the Promotions category, including packaging of trading cards for the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, an upcoming Friday Night Fling which begins July 17, Governor’s Cup trophies, eight in total, Empire of Hope activities, Elrod Schmucker Chicken meals during racing July 10 and August 21, an Ice Cream Social for horsemen and women provided by Maynard Miller’s Vanilla Bean Creamery, Speed Barn Tour activities and items, and the extension of the Grattan Helmet initiative through the end of 2026. The ISA also plans to provide a raffle item for Empire of Hope with proceeds directed to the Standardbred Transition Alliance.

Rideout also proposed a second golf outing for the fall due to the overwhelming response of 71 golfers at the recent event held at Grandview Golf Course.

Renz added to the promotional timeline provided by Hollman, noting The Ride with JMV on 93.5 and 107.5 remote at Fox Gardin in Fortville Thursday, June 11. The radio remote will go from 3 – 6 p.m. and will include racing participants as guests of the show. A second remote is set for Moran’s Bar and Grill of Anderson in July to promote horse ownership and family related connections to Standardbred racing. The remotes are provided in partnership between the ISA and the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development.

Director Jason Miller noted the State Fair has extended their deadline for county fair grants until Friday, June 19. He encouraged all ISA Directors to contact their local county fair organizations and prompt them to apply for the funding, which has been earmarked for racing at the county fairs.

In new business, approvals were received to do maintenance on the current ISA Office, including new railing on the front and paint and staining for the exterior. A new texting service was also approved to better serve the membership of the ISA.

Finally, discussion was held to reassign the current regional requirements for ISA Directors, which currently requires two from the northern district, two from the central area, and two from the southern portion of the state. A new proposal would only require one from each district with the other positions moving to an At Large Director. The proposal will need to be voted on by the membership of the ISA and would not go into effect until 2027. It was noted the board sometimes struggles to find ISA members in specific regions to run and serve on the ISA board. Verbiage is now being prepared for presentation later this year to ISA members to tweak the location requirements for the 15-member ISA board.

The ISA will hold its next meeting Monday, July 13.