Rita’s Girl and driver Kevin Detweiler were successful in many of their starts on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit this summer. Now, they can add a new career best time to their credentials following their win Tuesday, October 13 at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway.
Rita’s Girl began from post one and had enough early speed to hold their own along the inside as Stormy and Austin Hanners made a play for the top spot from post three. Stormy crossed over to the lead in the first turn and led the way through the quarter in :27.0. The field stayed in single file until almost the half before horses began moving to the outside. Stormin Suds and Kayne Kaufmann were eventually flushed to the outside and led the charge first over around the final turn.
Rita’s Girl opted to stay inside and waited patiently for the stretch drive. Space actually opened up on the outside during the first few strides of the stretch drive, but Rita’s Girl waited for the passing lane. Once she had clearance, she shot right by Stormy and had a comfortable lead at the wire to win by one and one-quarter lengths over Stormy. Taylorsseconddance and Jason Beattie moved into third.
It was a new career best for Rita’s Girl, who won in 1:54.4, a final quarter paced in :29.4. The Highalator three-year-old filly paid $15.40 for the win. She is owned by Ernest Wagler and trained by Joseph Wagler. Aquillas Stoltzfus bred and raised the filly, who earned her ninth win of 2026.
After finishing second in the Governor’s Cup Championships at the Indiana State Fair, Rita’s Girl returned to win the $5,850 ISA Elite at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. She then tried her luck in a couple of races at Harrah’s Hoosier Park before venturing to Dayton and earning her new lifetime mark. At one time this summer, she had six straight wins on the ISFC. To date, she now has 11 wins from 42 starts and more than $64,000 in earnings for her connections. She is the last foal from her dam, Rita J, who had 11 foals, nine of which are winners. Four of those are six figure earners led by Trading Up with a mark of 1:51 and more than $225,000 on his card.
Horsemen and women will be occupied with the search for the next Indiana stars Wednesday, October 14 during the Preview Day at the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale. The event begins at 10 a.m. with yearlings available for pre-sale inspection at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The sale is set for two sessions Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 beginning at 10 a.m. each day.
