Photo by Dean Gillette Ican Hardly Wait was very patient Wednesday, July 15 and turned in a big final eighth to score a win in her very first start at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Kevin Lambright guided the freshman trotter to victory in a time of 2:01.3, a final quarter in :27.1. Ican Hardly Wait began from post seven and that is where she got away. Rollin G Forces and Anthony Miller took over the top spot from an inside post with Bluebird Tempor and Ross Leonard getting the two-hold behind the leader. After the quarter in :29.2, Vel Foxy Pedro and LeWayne Miller moved to the outside in front of Ican Hardly Wait and sprinted up to the leaders. Ican Hardly Wait moved to the outside with intentions of getting a second over trip, but Vel Foxy Pedro had moved away from her too quickly, so she was left on the outside in mid pack through the final half. At the head of the lane, Rollin G Forces was still in command on the inside and Vel Foxy Pedro was applying pressure on the outside. Ican Hardly wait tipped to the outside and was still in fifth, but was within striking distance. As the field moved to the wire, Ican Hardly Wait hit another gear and rallied past all her opponents, getting the win by one length over Rollin G Forces. Bluebird Tempor finished third. Ican Hardly Wait was a big longshot, paying $57.00 for the win. The Temporal Hanover filly is owned by Ira Steinberg and trained by Daryl Bontrager. Ican Hardly Wait was bred by Thomas Svensen in New Jersey. She was purchased by Bontrager out of the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale(MSHS) under the name Casual Style for $11,000. Ironically, Rollin G Forces sold two yearlings later in the MSHS for $9,000. Later in the card, another Temporal Hanover freshman scored a win as Temporals Dream and Trace Tetrick scored their division of Indiana Sired non winners of one in 1:58.2. Temporals Dream got away in fourth as Like A Rock G and Kyle Wilfong took over the top spot early. However Temporals Dream did not sit back and follow along. He was out before the half and continued to pursue the top spot until he got it at the head of the lane. Temporals Dream trotted home in :28.1 to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2. Dashing Dover and Peter Wrenn closed in for second while Rebum and Brandon Bates finished third. Temporals Dream paid $4.40 as one of the favorites. Silver Bit Equine and John McGill own the two-year-old. Martin Hilty bred and raised the gelding with Walter Haynes Jr. now serving as trainer.
Leapnpetesonhisway and Logan Loney showed the way to the finish line Tuesday, July 14 in a division of the Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace during Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) action at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. The colt paced the Doc McClain Memorial track in a time of 1:59.4 for the win. A second tier start delayed Leapnpetesonhisway’s move to the front as he followed Premier Finaltouch and Ronald Burks out of the gate and to the quarter in :30.1. It was then time for Leapnpetesonhisway to be on his way. He was out and moving at the half in 1:01.2 before taking over the top spot. Heading into the final turn, the colt began to place more distance between him and the rest of the field. Heading into the stretch, Leapnpetesonhisway was well under wraps by Loney to win by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:59.4, a final quarter in :28.4. Premier Finaltouch held his ground inside for second over Literally Rockin and Mike Peterson for third. Leapnpetesonhisway is owned by Therl Hensley and trained by Rocky Loney. The Freaky Feet Pete colt was bred and raised by Dr. Paul and Cathy Webb. It was his fourth win in his fifth start of his career, and with the absence of Mason Kent, he now moves up into the top position for ISFC points en route to the Governor’s Cup Championships at the Indiana State Fair. His career best time of 1:59.2 remains his quickest taken at Converse earlier this year. Loney swept the freshman pacing colt/gelding divisions as he also guided Midnight Fox to an impressive win in 1:57.4. He got away in second early on behind Show Me Wutchagot and Mike Peterson before they broke stride at the quarter with broken equipment. Midnight Fox inherited the lead and was open lengths ahead of the rest of the field. Dominance continued for Midnight Fox through the second half as he powered home by 17 lengths to win in 1:57.4, a final quarter paced in :29.0. RB’s Choclitis and Ronald Burks finished second over Special Rocker and Anthony Miller. Midnight Fox, a son of Capt Midnight, is owned by D and J Racing Stables of Mississippi. Jonathan Williams trains the gelding, who was bred by Merlie Schwartz. It was his first career win in his fifth career start. The ISFC continues for a second session at the Clinton County Fairgrounds Wednesday, July 15 in Frankfort. Racing gets underway at 6 p.m. featuring two-year-old trotters and three-year-old pacers. The next stop for the ISFC is at Jay County Fairgrounds. Racing is slated for Monday, July 20 with a first post time set for 11 a.m. in Portland.
Nominations available for ISA Board of Directors Nominations are now being accepted for the Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) Board of Directors beginning in 2027. A total of five At-Large positions are available for the Board with the term beginning in January 2027. Candidates for the ISA Board must be willing to donate significant time to Indiana harness racing. Those interested should contact a member of the nomination committee or any ISA Director for information. All nominations should be submitted to the ISA Office by August 14, 2026. At Large candidates can reside in any Indiana county. Members of the ISA Nomination committee include Jay Hochstetler, Jason Miller, and Doug Rideout. Zach Miller serves as the chair of the committee. Letters regarding nominations for directors beginning next year were recently mailed to all existing ISA members. The term is for three years. For more information, contact the ISA Office at (317) 462-6616.
Photo of On To Norway returning to the Meadowlands winner's circle after getting his Hambletonian Maturity blanket for his win. Trainer Ron Burke assists the gelding following his win. There have been some great Indiana trotters over the years. From the early days of Sheezhomewardbound and ABC Mercedes to recent years of Homicide Hunter, Hannelore Hanover, M-M’s Dream, Fiftydallarbill, Bridge to Jesse’s and even Ponda Jet, Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s current track record holder, trotters have always prospered from the State of Indiana. Now, one more trotter has taken the program to the national stage as On to Norway became the latest to add his name to the elite list of millionaires from the Hoosier State. On to Norway set a record for most consecutive wins at 23 last year and continued that streak early this year, carrying that to The Meadowlands for trainer Ron Burke with 27 straight wins. Last week, the Muscle Massive four-year-old established a new world record of 1:48.3, the fastest mile ever recorded by a trotter, ironically, besting the previous mark of 1:48.4 set by Indiana trotter Homicide Hunter. On to Norway, driven by Yannick Gingras, returned this weekend and added yet another impressive stat, winning the Grade 1 $425,000 Hambletonian Maturity held at a distance of one and one-eighths mile. On to Norway is now 33 for 40 lifetime. He spent his entire two and three-year-old seasons in the Midwest, starting off at the Michigan fairs before being acquired by Frank Baldachino, Burke Racing, Black and White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal last April. He is now six of seven in 2026.
Photo by Dean Gillette Northern Luckygirl made a southbound move that brought her under the wire as a winner Saturday, July 11 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The evening was filled with top notch females on both the trot and the pace with several higher end events on the card, including a sophomore pacing filly Indiana Sires Stakes leg putting two champions on the track. Northern Luckygirl and Trace Tetrick left the gate with a flurry of others and held their ground in the center of the track before sliding over to the inside, initially having the lead position before Bama Breeze and Kyle Husted took over before the quarter in :26.1. DC Batgirl, who was hung wide into the first turn was also in pursuit of the lead and became the third leader down the backstretch for driver Kyle Wilfong. DC Batgirl led the way through the half in :55.2 with Bama Breeze’s nose right on Wilfongs helmet. Northern Luckygirl followed along around the final turn. At the head of the lane, Tetrick angled Northern Luckygirl out and she kicked into gear. She didn’t have an immediate impact on the leaders but wore them down at the wire to win by a half length, headed southbound on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park track. DC Batgirl was second over Bama Breeze. Northern Luckygirl paid $28.60 for the win. The Luck Be Withyou mare is owned by Martin Schmucker and trained by Jackie Ricks. Schmucker also bred the mare, who picked up her second win of the season and her 10 th overall. She now has more than $84,000 in earnings with a career best time of 1:52.1 taken last year at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Ricks, who stables at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, is a longtime trainer, owner, and groom on the Indiana circuit. Originally from Canada, Ricks only has a handful of horses. She has been training since 1998. Earlier in the card a big matchup between 2025 Pacer of the Year Whoomp and Somemore Blue took place in the fourth leg of Indiana Sires Stakes action. Whoomp cut the mile for driver John DeLong while Somemore Blue and Marcus Miller sat at their backs. In the stretch, Somemore Blue was out and moving forward but could only get within a neck of Whoomp at the wire. Both fillies paced their mile in 1:48.3, traveling home in under :26 seconds. Whoomp paid $6.20 for the win. The daughter of Rockin Image is owned by William, William Patrick, and Jesse Delong. William and Wm. Patrick Delong bred and raised the standout filly from their dam, Nightcap. Whoomp now has three wins in four starts for 2026. Overall, she is 11 for 17 and is closing in on a half-million in earnings. The mile was a new lifetime best for the mare.
Photo by Dean Gillette Two-year-old colt and gelding pacers were in action Friday, July 10 for the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes. To complement the launch, several Indiana Sires Stakes eligibles were held with La Captain Morgan and Trace Tetrick scoring the quickest win near the end of the card. The Indiana freshman paced his mile in 1:52.2, his first career win. As soon as the gate opened, Tetrick had La Captain Morgan on the move, heading straight out to the lead. The duo settled in along the inside to lead the way through the quarter in :27.3 and getting a mild breather to the half in :56.3. Prime Image and Athony Miller were tracking every move they made from the two hole and in the first half, the top two had open lengths on the remainder of the field. That scenario changed for the second half as the gap was closed and Soggy Man and John DeLong were ready to attack. In the stretch, Prime Image tipped out off La Captain Morgan’s back and went to work, but he could not overtake la Captain Morgan, who paced home in :26.4 for the win by a half length. Prime Image was second over Soggy man for third. The top four finishers paced home in under 27 seconds. La Captain Morgan paid $20.00 for the win, which is rare to see a horse driven by Tetrick pay double figures. The Capt Midnight colt is owned by L Reid and Teagan Sage Racing. Tom “T” Tetrick trains the colt, who was bred and raised by Devon Slabach. It was the third career start for La Captain Morgan. He was purchased by Tetrick out of the Topville Acres consignment last fall for $4,000. His dam, Sapphire Martini, was a solid racehorse during her career, earning six figures with a mark of 1:53.3. She has passed down her skill to her foals with six of seven of racing age having marks and three with six figures or more in earnings. She also has a yearling filly this year by Tellitlikeitis named LA Martinitis. Earlier in the night, Tetrick scored another win for trainer Tyler George in a division of Indiana Sires Stakes Eligibles for freshman pacing colts and geldings. Ponda One took over after the quarter and fended off a late challenge by Brecken and John DeLong to win by a neck in 1:53.2. Brecken was second over Freaky Lover and Anthony Miller for third. Ponda One was the favorite, paying $2.20. The Rockin Image filly is owned by Jeff and Adam Eckburg of Illinois. It was his first career win from his second career start. The Eckburgs purchased the colt from the Pond-A-Acres consignment last fall for $12,000.
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Photo by Dean Gillette Two-year-olds stepped on the track for the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes Wednesday, July 8, but the latter part of the card turned out the biggest surprise of the evening as Rick Plano and The Confession scored a win in the $10,000 conditioned claimer, paying $162.20 for the win. The Confession began from post four and got away third as Rockin Mudslinger and Jordan Ross put their race favorite status to good use early on, leading the field through the quarter in :27.2. Tellme U R Mydate and Travis Seekman chose the two hole. The field remained behind the leader to the half in :58.0 before an outer flow began to form. Beyond Dazzling and Kyle Wilfong led the outer flow around the final turn, flushing out Tellme U R Mydate. With that move Plano chose to move The Confession out as well, right on the back of Tellme U R Mydate. In the stretch, The Confession tipped out one more lane and began to come to life, rallying home in :26.1 at 80-1 odds for the win by one length in 1:54.1. Beyond Dazzling and Kyle Wilfong closed in for second over Rockin Mudslinger for third. The Confession was the longest shot of the field. He is a homebred owned by Maryann Plano and out of the mare Sophia Seelster. The four-year-old Tellitlikeitis gelding earned his second win of 2026 and his third overall. He has been getting checks all season for the Plano barn. The family of The Confession has a two-year-old colt by Freaky Feet Pete out of the maternal family this season named Majorsparklefeet who has yet to start. A smaller surprise winner on the night was in the second division of Indiana Sires Stakes as Mystical JK and Kyle Wilfong closed in quickly in the stretch to score the win in their $65,000 division in 1:52.1. The JK Endofanera filly paced her final quarter in :26.1 to show major promise as she kicks off her racing career. Owleo’s Pride and Ricky Macomber Jr. finished second over Fantastech and Marcus Miller for third. Mystical JK paid $17.20 for the win. She is owned by Connie Hochstetler, Mary Buddig, Janet Schwartz, and South of the Tracks. Mystical Marker Farms bred and raised the filly, who was purchased as part of the Victory Hill Farm consignment last fall in the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale for $40,000. It was the second career start for Mystical JK, dropping her previous best time taken in a qualifier from 1:57.3 to her big mile of 1:52.1 Wednesday. Callie Rocks and Trace Tetrick scored a win in the first division of Indiana Sires Stakes. The Tyler George trained Rockin Image daughter was a winner in 1:53.0 in the gate to wire effort. Ponda Era and Travis Seekman finished second over JK’s Fast and John DeLong for third. Callie Rocks is owned by Nathan Yoder, Gary Graber, and Stephen Stoll. She was bred and raised by David Fry.
Photo by Dean Gillette Two-year-olds were in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Tuesday, July 7 with several Indiana Sires Stakes divisions on the card. Along with the stakes horses were several freshmen on the undercard, including first time starter Lady Nessa. Driven by Jordan Ross, Lady Nessa made her first career start a winning one in the $12,000 Indiana sired two-year-old filly trot. Lady Nessa began from post one and came out of the gate with a little speed and a little lead. Horses were three and four-wide heading to the first turn, including Princess Draven and Jay Cross. The field passed by the quarter in :29.1 led by Lady Nessa but as the field moved out of the turn, Princess Draven had driven on to the lead and took over. Princess Draven led the field in single file through the half in 1:01.1 before Lady Nessa was out and moving, circling around Princess Draven. The move to the outside by Lady Nessa also prompted Indy Girl and Brandon Bates to scoot up on the outside around the turn. At the head of the lane, Indy Girl actually got by Lady Nessa by a half length and led for a few strides before Lady Nessa fought back, retaking the lead in mid-stretch. Once she had regained the lead, she took over, trotting home in :28.0 for the win in 2:00.1. Princess Draven finished two and one-half lengths back in second over Surcharge and Matt Krueger, who closed for third. Lady Nessa paid $27.70 for the win. The two-year-old daughter by Pilot Discretion is owned by breeder Paul Miller. Henry Graber Jr. trains the filly, who is the first winner for the Angus Hall mare Mata Mata from two foals. Earlier in the card, another first-time freshman trotting filly scored a win in Indiana Sires Stakes eligible action. Ponda Crystal and Marcus Miller rallied gate to wire for the win in 1:59.0. a final quarter in :27.2. Fine Wine and Jay Cross finished second over Par for the Course and LeWayne Miller. Ponda Crystal was the favorite, paying $3.60 for the win. The Temporal Hanover filly is royally bred and was purchased for $47,000 from the Ponda Acres consignment. She is now owned by Never 2 Late Stable, Stepbystep Racing, and Tony Willinger. Ponda Crystal was making her first career start for the Erv Miller barn. She is a half sister to Ponda Jewel and Ponda Suite, both by Swan for All and both winners. One proved to be a lucky number Tuesday. Four of the first six races were won from post one.
DD Endofanera and LeWayne Miller rallied home in a gate to wire effort Monday, July 6 to win one of two Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) events for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. The duo stopped the timer in 2:01.0 in their fourth career start. DD Endofanera began from post three and moved quickly out to take over the lead. The freshman pacer was on top by open lengths at the first quarter in :30 seconds while Mason Kent, driven by Logan Loney who picked up the catch drive, sat in second. DD Endofanera had the field in single file behind him at the half in 1:01.1. After the three-quarters in 1:31.0, Mason Kent tipped out and was trying to close in on DD Endofanera, but he found an extra gear and moved through the turn with power. In the stretch, DD Endofanera was well in control to score the win by two lengths over Mason Kent. Marcrocker and Kevin Detweiler finished third. DD Endofanera has a small win streak in place on the ISFC with two straight wins for owners L & S Racing, Jim Hays, and Dynamic Stable. LeWayne Miller also trains the JK Endofanera colt. Hays was trackside to get his photo taken with DD Endofanera. Hays, who is a loyal volunteer for the Indiana Standardbred Association each year during Speed Barn Tours, owns a few horses annually. DD Endofanera is his only one racing on the ISFC. He also has a horse racing in Kentucky on the fair circuit. Earlier in the day, Sassie Kassie remained undefeated in her fourth start of the season for Kevin and Kassandra Lambright. The Capt Midnight filly was parked on the outside of Rockin Gold and Logan Loney to the quarter in :30.2 before taking over. GD Captain Win and Kevin Detweiler tried to overtake her at the three-quarter pole, but once again, Sassie Kassie responded and took off, pulling away to a seven-length advantage in 2:01.1. GD Captain Win finished second over Kobe’s BB and Michael Detweiler. Sassie Kassie is owned and trained by Kassandra Lambright while Kevin handles the driving duties. She was bred and raised by Freeman Bontrager and came into the race off a win at the Clinton County Fair track last Thursday. She took her career best time at Harrah’s Hoosier Park during ISFC action in 1:56.1 in mid-June. Action turned to three-year-old trotters in the latter part of the eight-race card at Shelbyville with Topville Ideal and Kevin Detweiler earning a win in their division in 2:05.3. The duo passed every pole first en route to a four-length advantage in 2:05.3, a final quarter in :29.3. Strong ABC and Kevin Lambright finished second over Help N Beauty and Michael Detweiler. Topville Ideal is owned by Black and White Stable and Brian Carsey. Leander Schwartz trains the daughter of Dover Dan, who was bred by Merle Yoder. It was her third win of 2026 and fourth overall. The racing program at the Shelby County Fairgrounds was a team effort by several individuals. Neil Coleman worked to get the track ready for racing. Jackie Ricks drove the drag during the card and Brian Schling, a Quarter Horse trainer, stopped in to help out by driving the water truck and trailer. Annie Zellner helped with grandstand prizes and t-shirt distribution. Racing continues at Shelbyville Tuesday, July 7. Two-year-old trotters and three-year-old pacers will be featured with the program beginning at 11 a.m.
