Photo by Dean Gillette It was a dash for dollars Thursday, June 18 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The veteran pacer rallied from gate to wire to win the five-eighths mile Dash for Cash in a time of 1:08.1. Southside Kid hustled out of the gate for driver Kyle Wilfong as the gate folded down the backstretch, Acoustic and Cristian Pacheco filed in behind him in second with Baby Be Better and Ronald Burks sitting outside in third through the first quarter in :26.2 for the $5,000 claiming event. Southside Kid continued his front end style through the only turn of the race. At the head of the lane, Baby Be Better was still pressing on the outside of Acoustic but Southside Kid was leading the way by open lengths. A final try by Bold and Brassy and Ross Leonard in the center of the track closed the gap a little on Southside Kid, but he was under wraps by Wilfong under the wire in 1:08.1. Bold and Brassy finished a length and a half back in second over Acoustic along the inside. Southside Kid paid $13.60 for the win. The 11-year-old son of Skydancer hanover is from the Wilfong breeding operation of Lynn, Brett, Candice, and Barbara Wilfong. Ryan Bellamy now owns and trains the old timer, who earned his first win of 2026 and his 19 th overall. Unraced at two and three, Southside Kid took his career best time of 1:51.1 at Scioto Downs as a nine-year-old. He now has more than $180,000 in earnings from 175 career starts. Southside Kid has gone through many ownership changes during his career. The claimer has been with Ryan Bellamy since early March of this year. The Indiana Sired Fair Circuit was back with some divisions for three-year-olds later in the card. Sun Rae’s Triumph and Anthony Miller turned in a gate to wire effort in their three-year-old pacing filly division to score the win in 1:53.3. Dojea Endure and Kevin Detweiler finished three-quarters of a length back in second followed by Midnight Attire and Travis Seekman for third. Sun Rae’s Triumph paid $2.80 for the win. The Best in Show sophomore is owned by Dessa, Zach and Alvin Miller. Zach handles the training duties for the homebred filly, who is out of the family’s tough race mare Pacific Sun Rae, who earned a mark of 1:51.4 and made more than $300,000 during her racing career. It was the fourth win in eight starts for 2026 for Sun Rae’s Triumph. The mile also established a new career best for the filly. The ISFC divisions slated for the Wednesday, June 17 program at Harrah’s Hoosier Park were cancelled due to weather. The Indiana Standardbred Breed Development announced earlier Thursday those races will not be made up and points will be adjusted for the series.
Photo by Dean Gillette This Captain Rocks and Robert Taylor powered over a sloppy track and beat not only the field in the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, they beat the severe weather that was traveling into Anderson, Ind. The duo was under complete control of the field to remain perfect in the young colt’s career. This Captain Rocks began from post six and rallied out to secure a spot in third as El Speedy Gonzales and Travis Seekman scooted out to the lead, passing by the quarter in :29.1 in the freshman colt and gelding pace. Everyone stayed in single file to the half in :59.3 before This Captain Rocks was out and rolling to the lead. At the head of the lane, This Captain Rocks took over and moved out to an open length advantage. In the end, This Captain Rocks was a winner by three and one-quarter lengths in 1:57.1, pacing home in :27.2. El Speedy Gonzales finished second to make it a Capt Midnight one-two punch with DD Endofanera and LeWayne Miller moving in for third. This Captain Rocks paid $2.80 as the favorite of the field. The freshman colt is owned by Chad Webb of Kentucky and trained by Taylor. He is now three for three to kick off his racing career. The win was his quickest to date. Harrah’s Hoosier Park quickly went into a weather delay due to a plethora of storms that rolled across Indiana with some fierce lightning. It was the beginning of the end of the racing card for the night at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The only other race for the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit was the first division of freshman pacing colts and geldings with Rockalone and Trace Tetrick earning a near gate to wire win in 1:58.4. The Rockin Image gelding, trained by Tyler George, earned his second win in his third lifetime start. The mile was a new lifetime mark. Ranger Dan and Kyle Wilfong finished one and three-quarters back in second over Its My Era Now and Marcus Miller for third. Rockalone paid $3.00 for the win. He is owned by TG Stable and was bred by Richard Frey.
Rebum earns first career win
Swan Jefe and Rick Magee were in boss mode Sunday, June 14 at Running Aces. The duo upheld their race favorite status with a strong performance to win the $6,400 conditioned pace. Swan Jefe began from post five and scooted out to grab the two hole right behind early leader Bustamindagonspi and Nick Roland. Fractions of :28.3 and :59.2. were placed on the board before Spicymoneymaker and Dean Magee began to inch up on the outside prepared to challenge. Swan Jefe remained inside as Spicymoneymaker moved by on the outside. In the stretch, Spicymoneymaker took over from Bustamindagonspi as Swan Jefe dipped to the inside in the passing lane. Once he was clear, Swan Jefe trotted right by the opponents to win by two lengths in 1:58.3. Spicymoneymaker was second over Isthatevnaquestion and Mark Mintun for third. Swan Jefe paid $2.80 for the win. The four-year-old son of Swan for All is owned by Jesse and John DeLong. Justin Anfinson trains the gelding, who was bred by Lavon Miller and John McGill. It was the first career win for Swan Jefe, who had two second place finishes before his win Sunday. Unraced at two, the gelding competed at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last year, he moved to Minnesota for his four-year-old campaign. He was a $51,000 purchase by John DeLong from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of the dam Youre Majestic, a winner of more than $638,000 with a mark of 1:53.0. Another first time winner kicked off the Sunday program at Running Aces as Best in Shadow and Gary Rath took over in the final turn and rallied home a winner in 1:57.3. Allgavsumsumgavall and Nick Roland finished second over Too Much and Brady Jenson for third. Best in Shadow paid $3.80 for the win. The three-year-old son of Best in Show is owned by Gary and Kathryn Rath. Glen Borntreger bred the gelding who is also trained by Gary Rath. Best in Shadow only had four starts last year at two. He raced in Illinois last year and was at Harrah’s Hoosier Park this year before relocating to Minnesota in mid-May.
Indiana sophomore wins
Everyone in Indiana knows how great On to Norway is. Now, the entire Standardbred racing industry knows as the Indiana gelding not only won his first start out of the borders of the Hoosier State, but he set a new track record in the $50,000 Graduate Series at The Meadowlands. On to Norway was without his regular driver John DeLong and his regular groom Gracie McBride-Lopez, but he seemed to adapt well to his new surroundings. The Muscle Massive four-year-old was favored in the field of nine and looked the part. After Walspea and Jason Bartlett took over early from the gate, On to Norway was sitting in third for new driver Yannick Gingras and waiting until the quarter in :27.3 had been established. On to Norway could wait no longer and sprinted to the top to take over the lead at the half in :55.2. From there, On to Norway was in full control and was proving he was the one to overtake. At the head of the lane, On to Norway began to pull away from his opponents, winning by open lengths in 1:49.3, eclipsing the track record set by JL Cruze for four-year-old trotting geldings. Walspea finished second over Meshuggah and Dexter Dunn for third. On to Norway paid $3.60 for the win. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black and White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal. Bennett Farms Inc. of Michigan bred, raised, and raced the gelding before he was sold last April to his current connections and began his now 27-race win streak. Ron Burke trains the phenom trotter, who is four for four in 2026 to add to his 23 race win streak last season. Overall, his earings have now increased to nearly $725,000 with his win in the second leg of the Graduate Series. On to Norway’s previous lifetime mark was 1:51.2 taken last September at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. On to Norway is the third and final foal from the Donato Hanover mare One Class Act. All three, who are Indiana breds, raced, with the other two, Fear Only The One and Sheriff Longmire by Indiana sire Whom Shall I Fear.
It was a big day for new trotting stallions in the state of Indiana as two-year-olds took to the track for the second time on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit at the Converse Fairgrounds. Turns out, the very first race of 16 for freshman trotters was the quickest on the day as three-fillies were stretched across the track at the wire, giving Rebuffpinklady and Doug Rideout the victory in 2:01.3. Rebuffpinklady began from post one and shot straight out to the lead. She was joined by Satin Serenade and Derek Hooley who also had intentions to set the fractions. However, Rebuffpinklady didn’t want to give up her edge and the two fillies passed by the quarter in :30.0 before Satin Serenade inched up and took over the top spot, leading the field through the half in 1:01.0. The top two had moved away from the field heading down the backstretch for the second time. Brookview Hershey and Kevin Detweiler began to close the gap on the top two at the three-quarters in 1:31.2. Around the final turn, Rebuffpinklady was back out and challenging, but Satin Serenade was not giving in. Brookview Hershey had caught the top two and swung three wide as Track Announcer Rick Uppal said she was making it a three-way party. In the lane, all three fillies battled to the wire with Rebuffpinklady getting the edge by a head over Satin Serenade, who was a head in front of Brookview Hershey. Rebuffpinklady is the two-year-old daughter of new sire Rebuff. She is owned by Peter Schmucker Jr. and Julie Rideout. The homebred filly is trained by Rideout and she scored her first career win in only her second career start. Later in the card Hooley was able to get a gate to wire win with the family’s Diamond Popper, a son of Temporal Hanover. The colt shot out to the lead and fended off late challengers for the win by three-quarters of a length over Expressive Legend, another Temporal Hanover product driven by Doug Rideout. Rebum and Luke Miller finished third. Diamond Popper is owned by Summit Pacing Acres and trained by Byron Hooley. John Lengacher Jr. bred and raised the colt, who brought $10,000 through the sales ring last fall at the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale. It was the colt’s first win after finishing second in the first round of the ISFC. The ISFC now travels to Harrah’s Hoosier Park for four straight nights of action under the lights. Racing is slated for Tuesday, June 16 through Friday, June 19. The ISFC then moves to the Harrison County Fairgrounds in Corydon Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26.
The Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) was back in action for round two Wednesday, June 10 at the Converse Fairgrounds. A total of 17 races were contested with 12 dedicated to two-year-old pacers. Among those dozen races, the state saw it’s first sub 2:00 miles as Sassie Kassie and Leapnpetesonhisway each recorded miles in 1:59 and change. Sassie Kassie and driver Kevin Lambright began from the second tier so they had a few reasons not to get involved in the early fray when the gates opened. Both Slick as Silk and Doug Rideout and Kobe’s BB and Kevin Detweiler wanted the lead. They powered out and pressed each other early before Kobe’s BB settled on the front end and past the quarter in :28.3. The field was strung out behind him with Sassie Kassie back more than seven lengths as the field moved around the second turn. When the field passed by the half in 1:01.2, Sassie Kassie had caught up to the field and was on her way to the outside, flushing cover and working out a perfect two-hold trip past the three-quarters in 1:30.0. From there, she bided her time to the stretch before opening up on the field and pacing home in :28.4 for the win in 1:59.0, the fastest two-year-old mark so far in Indiana. Vel My First Dream and Clint Coy held her ground inside for second over Slick as Silk for third. Sassie Kassie is owned and trained by Kassie Lambright. It was the first career start for the Capt Midnight filly, who was a recent acquisition from breeder Freeman Bontrager. The filly is the first foal from the Rock N Roll Heaven mare who was born and bred in Australia. She took a mark of 1:52.2 and made more than $175,000 during her racing career and has obviously passed on her skills to her first foal. Later in the card, it was the colt and geldings turn to take the track. Leapnpetesonhisway and Logan Loney rallied gate to wire to win their heat in 1:59.2, a final quarter in :29.3. JK Barbar and Kevin Detweiler finished second over Literally Rockin and Mike Peterson for third. Leapnpetesonhisway is owned by Therl Hensley and trained by Rocky Loney. The son of Freaky Feet Pete was bred by Dr. Paul and Cathy Webb. The colt is now two for two in his young career. The fastest mile for the entire day was awarded to Don’t Tell Anyone and Kevin Detweiler in a division of three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. After starting from the second tier, the Don’t Let’Em sophomore followed along in third behind Don’t Keep Secrets and Logan Loney before finding room in the lane and getting the edge over Don’t Keep Secrets by a half length in 1:57.2. You Know Dancer and Robert Taylor finished third. Don’t Tell Anyone is owned by Black and White Stable and trained by Leander Schwartz. Dr. Paul and Cathy Webb also bred and raised the trotter, who picked up his second win of 2026. His win at Converse was a new career best for the trotter. The ISFC is back in action Thursday, June 11 with two-year-old trotters and three-year-old pacers on the card. First post is 3 p.m. at the Converse Fairgrounds.
JD’s King James put a slam dunk on the $11,000 conditioned pace field Tuesday, June 9 at Oak Grove. He ruled the entire tempo to score the win in the petite field of six with Marcus Miller in the bike. Starting from post one, JD’s King James used that spot to his advantage and shot out to the lead from the gate. Fox Valley Compass put up a little of a challenge early before dropping back in the two hole for Archie Buford with Indiana sired Virgin Storm and Jamaal Denson following in third. Around the first turn, Fox Valley Compass was rough gaited and Buford started to pull him to the outside and make a challenge again but dropped back in behind JD’s King James before the quarter in :26.4. As the field came by the grandstand for the first time, Tickled to Tears and Atlee Bender began their journey forward on the outside, pressing the pace last the half in :54.3. The two top horses continued to battle their way to the three-quarters in 1:22.2 with Fox Valley Compass biding his time tucked in behind. Around the final turn, Track Announcer Peter Kleinhans noted there were four horses bunched together and it was anyone’s race. JD’s King James showed so slower foot on the inside with Tickled to Tears getting a slight advantage in the early stretch. But JD’s King James fought back and took back over. His white bridle and white back stockings were in full view at the wire for the win by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Tickled to Tears finished second over Virgin Storm, who held his ground for third. JD’s King James paid $4.70 for the win. The five-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis is owned by Lori Scholl and trained by Gary Campbell. Jacob Miller bred and raised the gelding, who earned his 11 th straight win. He now has more than $175,000 in earnings with his career best time of 1:51.2 taken as a three-year-old at Dayton Raceway. He is a recent acquisition by Scholl. The Tuesday card at Oak Grove was closed out by Indiana sired Mister Hercules and Marcus Miller in the $13,000 conditioned claimer. After Just Chasing Tails and Geremy Bobbitt set the first quarter in :26.3, Mister Hercules was out and moving , picking up cover behind Star man and Brandon Bates. That cover brought him all the way to the stretch. Once in the stretch, Mister Hercules moved out and went to work, powering by all his opponents for the win by two and one-half lengths in 1:53.4. Lakeside Tammy, also an Indiana sired product of Odds on Equuleus finished second for Joey Putnam with Star Man finishing third. Mister Hercules paid $3.84 for the win. The five-year-old stallion is by Let’s Drink on It and is owned by Chad Bell of Mississippi. Terry Skinner trains the product of Alvin Schwartz’s breeding operation in Berne, Ind. Mister Hercules picked up his second win of 2026 and his 12 th overall. The one-time ISFC contender has more than $59,000 on his card with his career best earned in his Tuesday win. He has been owned by Bell his entire career, purchased out of the Northern Indiana Yearling Speed Sale. He is a half sister to six figure winners Feelnlikearockstar and Vel Donna, and full sister to Lets Flip Onit, also a six figure earner.
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.
