Photo of Ray Allison, new executive director of the Indiana State Fair, addressing the ISA Board Monday, May 4 during their monthly meeting ISA Board of Directors hold May meeting The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA)Board of Directors met for their monthly meeting Monday, May 4 at the ISA Offices in Greenfield. The meeting kicked off with a special guest speaker, Ray Allison, the new executive director of the Indiana State Fair, replacing longtime executive Cindy Hoye, who retired in March. Allison, who assumed his new duties April 1, has been with the Indiana State Fair in several capacities since 1993, starting off as a college intern. He has worked alongside Hoye for nearly two decades and noted he is tuned in to the history of Standardbred racing at the fair. ISA Director Doug Rideout, who oversees the county fair committee, asked Allison about the tent utilized last year during the Indiana State Fair for stabling during the races. Allison noted another 30 x 105-foot tent has been scheduled, which included 20 stalls. Rideout noted additional stalls were provided last year, but they did not have a cover and were not used because of that issue. Allison said they would be happy to talk about bringing in an additional tent for stabling during the races. Allison also noted the construction on Gate 6 is wrapping up soon and there will be no construction on the east side of the campus, which will alleviate transportation issues in and out of the speed barn areas. It was also noted to Allison that one barn will continue to be utilized for Speed Barn tours during the fair. Allison noted the current above ground electrical wires and poles will soon be placed underground, which will provide better and more efficient electricity to that area and with the poles removed, will make everything more accessible. Allison said an additional construction project will soon be implemented to remove the current old restrooms near the barns and a new restroom building will be constructed to include showers and individual bathrooms. He also said several of the barns are getting windows replaced that needed repair. Allison completed his talk by noting the State Fair grants, which are due soon, have been started. With the transition of new staff, they are getting caught up on several projects including the grants. Mike McDaniel, longtime lobbyist for the ISA, addressed the board for his last meeting. The 75-year-old will be retiring at the end of May, saying he has been connected to racing since he was a kid. He mentioned several mentors along the way, including Keith Bulen, Larry Borst, and Mitch Daniels, and noted Jack Holton brought him on board with the ISA as a lobbyist in 2010. During his time with ISA, he represented racing in the statehouse on many issues and projects. He was also responsible for the creation of the Governor’s Cup Championships, with points accumulating toward the finals at the State Fair, a project he was most proud of. McDaniel said he always tells people that the ISA was his favorite client because everyone loves what they do and they work so hard. That is why the industry is now a $2 billion business in the state. McDaniel also commended the board for hiring executive director Tony Renz and said they have a great team assembled and he is confident they will continue to do great things in the state. Adam Kallick, who is part of that team, updated the board on legislative issues and noted the primaries set for Tuesday, May 5, especially in the Senate, could see some changes. He noted it will be important for him and Matt Norris, the other lobbyist, to digest any changes and be adaptable and adjust as far as the leadership goes. Robert Taylor gave an update on projects on the backside at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, noting the new tank project should be completed in the next day or so. They have been working on the water valve and water pressure. He also noted they are getting bids on asphalt for the barn area driveways. ISA President John DeLong gave an update on a new Blood Gas machine through the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. He recommends one that has been in place at Rood & Riddle in Lexington for the past five years and will continue to work with IHRC on this project. Yearling inspections for this fall’s Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale began Monday, May 4. Purdue Day at Kountry Lane Standardbreds is Thursday, May 7, and the Northern Indiana Yearling Speed Sale will begin accepting entries June 1 with the sale set for Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 at the Topeka Livestock Auction House. ISA Treasurer Rhys Helt provided an update on the new electronic payment system for ISA memberships, and the program is ready to launch. The board voted to implement it in the next few days. The ISA Office has provided flyers with QR Codes for easy access to the new online payment system. There is a $1.80 fee for online payments. ISA Director Doug Rideout noted there were 280 Elite nominations this year, up a few from the previous year. He also said Wickeys are locked in for seven fair dates this year to provide food on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit. Yard Signs for the ISFC are also in production and will be available soon. ISA Director Carrie Hollman said they had a huge turnout for ISA Night at the Races with more than 140 in attendance. She also noted they received 11 memberships during the event, which brings the ISA up to 796 members. The next project for the promotions committee is Horse of the Month, featuring Little Rocket Man in May. The promotion is sponsored by Elite Nutrition. Tony Renz, Executive Director, also noted the upcoming Friday Night Owners Club this summer. President DeLong noted Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s handle has been strong so far, and they recorded their highest handle on a non-event night last Friday with more than $1.2 million wagered. He also said Gabe Prewitt of HHP had updated him on Fox Sports and they will have three premier shows this year, including the Dan Patch, Caesars Trotting Classic, and Hoosier Champions Night featuring Indiana Sires Stakes Finals. He also said Fox will feature HHP along with The Meadowlands on a two-track show Saturday, May 16. Renz gave an update on the Grattan Helmet promotion with ISA members still taking advantage of the initiative. So far, there have been 35-40 helmets ordered since the program was implemented last fall. The current program is scheduled to run through June, but the ISA is looking into extending it further to assist many more ISA members with highly discounted new helmets, which boosts safety measures for all participants on the track. The next meeting for the ISA Board is set for Monday, June 8. The date was moved due to the ISA Golf Outing, which is slated for Monday, June 1.

Skyway Freakshow and McGwire Sowers closed out the Sunday program May 3 with a win in the $4,800 conditioned pace at Bangor Raceway. The Indiana sired pacer trudged through the sloppy track for the open length win in 2:01.1. Skyway Freakshow began from post six and rallied out quickly when the gate folded to be a top contender in the race. Dark Eclipse N and Kevin Switzer Jr. was the quickest of all from the far outside and crossed over for the lead before the first turn, leaving Skyway Freakshow parked around the first turn before settling in third. Fractions of :28.2 and 1:00.1 were placed on the board before movement was detected at the back of the pack to the outside. The advancement by Sweet Scarlett and Andrew Harrington flushed out Bettor N Joy and Timothy Hudson, which eventually flushed Skyway Freakshow to the outside and into first over positioning. Around the final turn, Skyway Freakshow was in a big battle with Dark Eclipse N before taking over and moving out to the lead in solo fashion. She rallied home in :29.4 to score the win by two and three-quarter lengths over Dark Eclipse N. Bettor N Joy finished third. Skyway Freakshow paid $14.60 for the win. The four-year-old daughter of Freaky Feet Pete is a family owned horse, owned by McGwire and Autym Sowers with Autym serving as the trainer. Samuel Schrock bred and raised the mare who earned her second win of 2026. Overall, she has seven wins and more than $45,000 on her card with her career best taken at two at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:56.1. She had six starts under the direction of trainer Henry Graber Jr. before moving to upstate New York and later Maine. She was sold from the Slabach Brothers Standardbreds consignment as a yearling, purchased by Eleven Star Stables for $7,000 late in the sale. She was the latest foal from the multiple stakes winner Marnie Hall, who was a millionaire while racing in all the major stakes, taking a mark of 1:49.0. She has several six figure earners including DA Delightful, a winner in 1:48.3. Earlier on the card, two Indiana sired pacers led the conditioned pacers to the wire for a one-two finish in 2:02.0. Holymotherofmoses and Kevin Switzer Jr. turned in a gate to wire effort for the win by two and one-half lengths over Kea Island and Andrew Harrington. Holymotherofmoses was the favorite, paying $2.40 for the win. She is the six-year-old daughter of Check Six owned and trained by Logan Lanpher. Alvin Fry and Lamar Miller bred the mare, who picked up her first win of 2026 and her 13 th overall. To date, she has more than $114,000 with a career best time of 1:54.2 taken last year at Vernon Downs. She began her career in Illinois and raced just a handful of times for Kevin Miller before shipping east.

Photo by Dean Gillette On to Norway kept the winning streak going in his first start of 2026 Saturday, May 2 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. It has now been over a year since he lost a race and his streak is up to 24 straight wins in the state of Indiana. Guided by John DeLong, On to Norway was being tested against older open trotters for the first time in his career, and he was ready to go when the gate folded. He had his ears pinned and DeLong had his hands full when they left the gate, showing early speed right alongside the likes of Track Record Holder Ponda Jet and Peter Wrenn, who went on to take over the top spot. DeLong was finally able to get On to Norway in a hole in fourth as trotters passed by the quarter in :26.2. There was no change at the half in :57.0 with a slow second quarter. On to Norway could wait no longer. He was out and rolling toward the leaders in the final turn. Once again, On to Norway had his ears pinned and he was all business heading down the lane. He got past Ponda Jet but then had to contend with Operator and Marcus Miller, who had sat in the two-hole the entire way. In the end, On to Norway was a length winner in 1:53.2, trotting home in :25.4. Operator was second, just a neck ahead of Ponda Jet giving Trainer Jay Hochstetler and second and third place finish in the evening’s featured Open Trot. On to Norway paid $3.20 as the favorite of the field. The now four-year-old son of Muscle Massive is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Michael Rosenthal, and Black and White Stable. Bennett Farms of Michigan bred the gelding, who is now 28 for 34 lifetime with more than $671,000 in career earnings for trainer Ron Burke. His quickest time of 1:51.2 was taken last year during his standout sophomore year that earned him Trotter of the Year honors in Indiana. Also a winner on the night was another standout trotter and former year-end honoree Dover in Motion, driven by DeLong. The seven-year-old Dover Dan gelding got away fourth, following the lead provided by Toy’s for You and Luke Plano at the quarter in :28.0. Flirtnwiththepilot and Peter Wrenn took over after the quarter and led the field through the half in :57.4 before Dover in Motion was out and on the move. In the lane, Dover in Motion had to fight hard for the lead, a fight that lasted all the way to the wire. In the end, Dover in Motion was a winner by a neck over Flirtnwiththepilot. Toy’s For You finished third. Dover in Motion was the favorite of the field, paying $2.60 for the win. It was his second win of 2026 in his sixth start. Overall, he has 23 wins and more than $700,000 in earnings for trainer Ricky Macomber Jr. and owners M & M Racing and Macomber Racing. Lyle Slabach bred and raised the gelding, who has a career best time of 1:50.4 taken at five at Oak Grove.

Photo by Dean Gillette Just as Always a Runner was winning the Kentucky Oaks, it was Always a Virgin sophomore Im a Real American in the winner’s circle at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The Indiana gelding scored a win in the first division of the $12,000 Hal Dale Series, which kicked off with two divisions Friday, May 1. Im a Real American began from post four and went straight for the lead with John DeLong in the bike. Check Your Pockets and LeWayne Miller joined them from the inside and grabbed the pocket seat as Im a Real American rallied through the first quarter in :27.4. There was no action to the outside to the half in :57.1 and Im A Real American and Check Your Pockets began to put a few lengths between them and the rest of the field around the final turn. In the stretch, Check Your Pockets was ready to move out and challenge, but Im a Real American had another gear left. He pinned his ears back and took off, finishing the mile with a :27.4 final quarter to win by a length over Check Your Pockets. Echo Canyon and Trace Tetrick finished third in the 1:52.4 mile. Im a Real American was the heavy favorite, paying $2.40 for the win. He is owned by Evans Nation and Engblom Farm with Per Engblom handling the training duties. Im A Real American was bred by Dave Yoder and is out of the former Indiana Sires Stakes champ Ag-N-Au (pronounced Silver and Gold) Bluegrass. She made more than $300,000 during her racing career back when purses were not as hefty as modern day times. For Im A Real American, he is now two for three this season. It was his first start of the year at Harrah’s Hoosier Park as he previously raced at Harrah’s Philadelphia to prep for his three-year-old Indiana debut. Last year at two, he started off in Indiana under Missy Essig before going to Lexington and Cumberland Run where he took advantage of his dual eligibility and raced in Kentucky Sires Stakes. He qualified twice at Pocono Downs before making his two starts at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Im A Real American is from the final crop of Always a Virgin and was one of seven yearlings who sold at public auction. He was sold at the Standardbred Mixed Horse Sale in Harrisburg as a yearling under the name Tenex and was purchased by Nation and along with Missy Essig. Engblom bought into the gelding last August. His career best time is 1:51.0 taken earlier this year at Harrah’s Philadelphia. In the other division of the Hal Dale, Bam Bam and Atlee Bender got away in third before moving after the quarter in :27.3 and taking over, rallying home for the win by one length in 1:53.3 with a final quarter in :26.1. Brookview Glider and Jordan Ross finished second over Timber Man and Marcus Miller for third. Bam Bam was also the heavy favorite, paying $2.60 for the win. The Tellitlikeitis sophomore is owned by Anthony Lombardi, Engel Stable of IL, and Tony Willinger. Dan Shetler bred and raised the gelding, who is now three for four. He was unraced last year as a two-year-old and now has a mark of 1:52.4.

Photo by Dean Gillette It’s My Story wrote her own ending in the first round of the $12,000 Go On BB Series Thursday, April 30. It’s only fitting that Trainer Ron Burke won two of the three divisions named in honor of his standout pacing mare Go On BB, who surged across the million dollar mark during her career nearly 20 years ago. It’s My Story and Kyle Wilfong began from post four and left the gate with authority, seeking the top spot. Princess Laa and Dale Hiteman got the first call with horses three wide around the first turn with It’s My Story in between Princess Laa and Keeps Miss Dixie and Jordan Ross. Once It’s My Story cleared the lead, Keeps Miss Dixie cleared to be the third leader of the race before Cruisen Halle and LeWayne Miller were out and rolling to become the fourth leader at the half in :56.1. It’s My Story stayed tucked in along the rail around the final turn. In the stretch, she was on the move and took over, coasting home to a three-length lead in a time of 1:53.0. Willow Larue and Marcus Miller closed for second over Keeps Miss Dixie. It’s My Story paid $10.80 for the win. The three-year-old daughter of Best in Show is now owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Michael Rosenthal, and Frank Baldachino. She was bred and raised by Michael Weaver. It’s My Story raced under Trainer John Merkel last year as a two-year-old starting off on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit and then later making her mark on the pari-mutuel ranks. Merkel also trained her mother, A Lozkoz Bluegrass, during her racing career. It’s My Story is now two for three this season. In the middle division of the Go On BB, Burke’s Klorox Queen and Trace Tetrick rallied home in a near gate to wire effort for the win by two and one-half lengths in 1:52.4. The Tellitlikeitis three-year-old paid $3.80 for her efforts as the race favorite. Beautiful Mistake and Brandon Bates finished second over Ponda Lime and Atlee Bender for third. Klorox Queen is owned by Burke Racing, Knox Services, and Weaver Bruscemi. It was her second win of 2026 and her fourth overall. The mile also provided her with a new lifetime mark. The first division of the Go On BB Series, Treacherous Woman and Kyle Wilfong were gate to wire winners in a time of 1:52.1. Gina Romantica and Marcus Miller finished two and one half lengths back in second over Rockin Charli and LeWayne Miller for third. Treacherous Woman had the fastest division of all fillies in the Go On BB series, paying $2.80 for the win as the race favorite. The Rockin Image filly was making her first start of 2026, coming off two wins in three starts as a two-year-old last fall for trainer Jay Hochstetler. Treacherous Woman is owned by Connie Hochstetler, Mary Buddig, Janet Schwartz, and South of the Tracks Rac Inc.

Photo by Dean Gillette Several new series got underway Wednesday, April 29 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with some surprise winners in the first round. Bluebird Hill and Marcus Miller were one of those pairs, scoring a longshot win in the $12,000 Expression Series for Indiana sired trotters. Bluebird Hill began from post five and got away in mid pack as Hawt Yoga and Kiwon Waldron took over the lead position before the quarter in :28.4. They continued to lead the way through the half in :59.4 with the field staying in single file behind him. In the final turn. Movement began to form on the outside that included Bluebird Hill. In the stretch, Bluebird Hill took flight, traveling home in :27.4 to reach the front position by the wire in 1:58.3. Let’Em, also a longshot, moved up for second for Lamar Wingard while Yawt Yoga held on for third in the 1:58.3 mile. Bluebird Hill paid $28.20 for the win. The sophomore son of You Know You Do is owned by Matthew Miller and John McGill. Miller signed the ticket for the trotter at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale for $26,000. He is a half brother to the standout mare Bluebird Dove, who established a world champion mark during Little Brown Jug Week in a division of the Buckette. She took a mark of 1:52.2 and completed her racing career as a multiple Indiana Sires Stakes winner with more than $226,000 in earnings. The family also includes six-figure winner Bodelicious. Robert Wyman trains Bluebird Hill, who is now two for three this season after only scoring one win last year. He began on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit and later worked his way up into stakes action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Overall, he has more than $22,000. His mile Wednesday was a new lifetime mark for the gelding, beating his previous mark set last year by one fifth of a second. In the other division of the Expression Series, Marcus Miller guided that winner as well for trainer Jay Hochstetler. The Dover Dan sophomore moved from the three-hole into the final turn and rallied away from the field for the win by four and three-quarter lengths. Inverness Ave and Kevin Lambright finished second over Bravo Alpha and Doug Rideout for third. Sunday Swagger paid $4.20 for the win. He is owned by Connie and Homer Hochstetler, Robert Buddig, and Allen Schwartz. He is a home bred for the Hochstetler barn and was a winner in his first start of 2026 after scoring two wins last year, including his career best time of 1:54.3. Sunday Swagger now has more than $60,000 on his card.

Photo by John Adamsky The Indiana Standardbred Association, Harrah’s Hoosier Park and the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development are partnering together for a special series for owners. The Friday Night Owners Club is set to span four months beginning in late June. The Friday Night Owners Club begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26 and runs until 7:30 p.m. in the Top of the Park room at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The event will coincide with Friday racing and will be a summer reception for owners, both new and returning, to enjoy a special night out at the races. The Owners event will include appetizers and two complimentary beverages along with a racing program. Self serve betting terminals will be provided in the Top of the Park for the convenience of the participants. The Friday Night Owners Club does not require an RSVP to attend. Those planning to attend should make their way to the Top of the Park for the featured nights. In addition to the kickoff Friday, June 26, events for the Friday Night Owners Club will be held Friday, July 24, Friday, August 28, and will conclude with a Saturday special edition Saturday, September 26. Look for more information on the Friday Night Owners Club on social media or on the ISA’s website at indianaharness.com.

Just Rosas Luck cashed in on a little skill and a little luck Monday, April 27 to win the featured $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Monticello Raceway. The Indiana mare took a chance on a big move in the final half that paid off in a big way for the win in 1:55.3. Just Rosas Luck began from post six and floated over to the inside as several horses rallied out to get the early lead. Catie Faye Hanover and Ralph Silvestri III were the longest shots on the board and took over the lead with race favorite Jillian Jiggs and Jim Taggart Jr. on the outside past the quarter in :27.3. Catie Faye Hanover would not surrender the lead, leaving Jillian Jiggs on the outside at the half in :56.1. Horses from the back of the pack began to move and so did Just Rosas Luck, who sat right on the back of Jillian Jiggs. At the three-quarter pole, Just Rosas Luck and driver Michael Merton made the decision to flip three wide heading into the final turn. Once they were in full stride, they went right on by their opponents and at the head of the lane, Just Rosas Luck was on top of the field by three. Her lead increased to the wire for the win by six and one-quarter lengths with a final quarter in :29.2. Wish I Had Thyme closed for second with Don’t Chip Me, another Indiana sired mare by Hypnotic Blue Chip, finding room on the outside to advance after traveling inside during the mile for Bruce Aldrich Jr. Just Rosas Luck paid $9.48 for the win. The six-year-old Luck Be Withyou mare is owned by Go For Glory Stable and trained by Rob Harmon. Misty Ridge Stables bred the mare, who scored her third win of the year. Overall, she has 18 wins and more than $214,000 in earnings with a career best time of 1:51.4 taken as a five-year-old at Plainridge. Just Rosas Luck began under the direction of trainer Melanie Wrenn at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. She has had several owners over her career and this is the second time that Go For Glory Stable has owned her in the past year. Her dam, Goddess’s Rosa, took a mark of 1:51.0 and made $189,000 before becoming a brood mare. Just Rosas Luck is the richest of her foals, but she has two others, Rosas Image, and Don’t Tell Rosa, who are also six figure winners. In the very next race, it was two Vel horses fighting for the win at the wire in the photo with Vel Miss Taylor and Michael Merton getting the win in the conditioned pace. She took over after the quarter in :28.0 and maintained her position all the way to the wire to win by a length and a quarter. Obsessed with Lou and Bruce Aldrich Jr. closed in for second, just a neck ahead of Vel Quick Daisy and Kyle Dibenedetto for third. Vel Miss Taylor was the favorite, paying $2.98 for the win. The six-year-old daughter of Ponder is now owned by Cliff Grundy and trained by Tammy Sowers. She began her career under the direction of Larry King on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit and now has 36 career wins and more than $138,000. Her career best time was taken at three at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:54.3 before she relocated to the East Coast.

It was a fight to the finish between two Indiana sired pacers with Heaven Needs Me and Simon Allard getting the final call Sunday, April 26 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. The Indiana sired pacer turned in a last to first effort for the win in 1:52.4 in the $13,500 conditioned pace. Heaven Needs Me began from the outside post seven and showed no interest in getting involved in the race early, moving to the back of the pack as Seaworthy Hanover and Ridge Warren put their rail starting spot to good use and became the first leader. However their time on the top was short lived as Lazarus Star and March Herschberger rallied up and around to take over before the quarter in :28.1. The field stayed in single file through the half in :56.4 and it wasn’t until the field has moved down the backside for the second time that the trailing horses began to shift to the outside. Heaven Needs Me made one move. He moved to the outside to pass horses and had to go three wide in the final turn to reach the top horses in the race. In the stretch, he was widest of all and in full flight as the wire neared. He was able to fend off Son of Era and Patrick Ryder on the inside to score the win by a neck. Son of Era is also an Indiana bred son of JK Endofanera. TH Colby and Tim Tetrick used a move up the inside to finish third. Heaven Needs Me paid $17.20 for the win. The four-year-old son of Capt Midnight is owned and trained by Chelsey Faurot, who also bred the gelding. Heaven Needs Me is now two for three in 2026 after going unraced as a two-year-old. Overall, he has five wins in 22 starts and tops $67,000 in earnings. His career best time of 1:52.2 was taken last year at Pocono Downs. Earlier in the card, Indiana sired Lovers Trouble and Joe Bongiorno turned in a near gate to wire effort after taking over after the quarter in the $11,000 claiming event. Around the final turn, Lovers Trouble began to scoot away from the field and won by three and one-half lengths in 1:52.2. Hesa Kingslayer N and Simon Allard finished second over Duckies Dynasty and Mark Herschberger for third. Lovers Trouble was the favorite of the field, paying $2.40 for the win. The five-year-old Tellitlikeitis gelding is owned by JB Racing and Evans Nation. Bongiorno also trains the gelding, who was bred and raised in Indiana by breeders Zach Miller, Edward Dobrowolski of Indiana and Edward Dobrowolski of Michigan. Lovers Trouble earned his third win of the year in the effort. Overall, he has 13 wins and more than $146,000 in earnings. He picked up a sub 1:50 career best mark as a three-year-old at Pocono Downs. He is the foal from the former Indiana contender SS Lover, who made $68,000 during her career and took a mark of 1:53.0 before becoming a brood mare. She is now a 100 percent producing brood mare with four winners from four foals of racing age. Lovers Trouble is her richest and her quickest to date. She does have a two-year-old this season, a colt by Freaky Feet Pete named Freaky Lover.