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Thosesummernights was a daytime winner Sunday, May 17 at Shenandoah Downs. The Indiana mare was on a mission, scoring a gate to wire effort as a mild longshot for trainer-driver Leslie Joyce. Thosesummernights put her inside post to good use when the gate folded, moving out to the lead. She was challenged early by Shore of Himself and Mark Sheridan, who had to settle for setting in second behind the Indiana mare. Singforyoursupper and Tim Deaton also backed off after the first turn and settled in third. Thosesummernights passed by the quarter in :27.0 and increased her lead in the second turn before getting a breather to the half in :56.0. D’applesrsweet and Anthony Morgan were on the move from the back of the pack at the half and began to inch up. Thosesummernights defended her spot on top of the field. Joyce began to encourage the mare around the final turn. In the stretch, Thosesummernights began to drift to the center of the track, which opened up several options for the remainder of the field. However, Thosesummernights fought hard to the wire for the win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1. Singforyoursupper was second over Zelenskyy and Joe Chindano Sr., who moved in for third. Thosesummernights paid $16.40 for the win. The four-year-old daughter of JK Endofanera was bred by William Jones and Fredericka Caldwell of Kentucky. Jacob Roedl of Illinois now owns the mare, as they acquired her earlier in May. The mare is now four for eight this season and has nine career wins. Her win Sunday was a new lifetime mark as she also increased her bankroll to more than $67,000 with the win. A dual bred, Thosesummernights began her career in Kentucky on the fair circuit for trainer Rodney DeBeck. She eventually made her way to Ohio last fall before relocating to Virginia earlier this spring. This was the first start for her new connections. She is a half sister to the tough racehorse Lovethewayyoulie, who has a mark of 1:52.3 and has earned more than $150,000 and is still racing. Earlier in the day, Go Now and William Carter were gate to wire winners in the conditioned pace. The five-year-old Always a Virgin mare moved out at the half and endured a parked second half before grinding her way to the wire for the win by a neck over Katana and Eric Davis, who cut the mile that was recorded in 1:53.3. Baltimore Jack N and Corey Braden finished third. Go Now paid $3.80 as the favorite of the field. She is owned by PT Stable of New Jersey and was bred by Walter Fister of Kentucky. Bryson Dunning trains the mare, who earned her second win of 2026 and her 19 th overall. Another dual bred mare, Go Now began at The Red Mile before venturing East. Her career best time of 1:51.0 was taken at The Red Mile before venturing to the East. She is closing in on $200,000 in career earnings.
Klorox Queen cleans house in Go on BB Final Klorox Queen and Trace Tetrick made a clean sweep of things Saturday, May 16 in the $25,000 Go On BB Final at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The sophomore filly kept the title in the barn of Ron Burke, who campaigned the honoree Go On BB to more than a million dollars during her career in Indiana in the single digits of the 2000s. Klorox Queen and It’s My Story, driven by Travis Seekman, came into the final with preliminary wins. Neither filly had an ideal starting spot as It’s My Story began from post seven and Klorox Queen was on the outside of her in post eight. Both fillies left the gate in search of the lead, with It’s My Story crossing over before the quarter in :26.4 and Klorox Queen crossing over after the quarter. The field went unchanged to the half in :55.2 before Ponda Lime and Jordan Ross moved to the outside from the back of the pack and began to advance. Around the final turn, Beautiful Mistake and Brandon Bates were flushed out of the three hole to move up. The earplugs were out on Klorox Queen, and she responded, moving out to a four-length advantage at the wire in 1:52.4, a final quarter in :28.4. It’s My Story finished second over Gina Romantica and Atlee Bender for third. Klorox Queen was the favorite of the field, paying $5.60 for the win. The Tellitlikeitis daughter is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi. She is a home bred, raised by her owners. It was the fifth win of the night for Tetrick, who once again leads the driver standings. For Klorox Queen, it was her fourth win in eight starts. In fact, she has not been off the board yet in 2026. Overall, she is six for 14 with more than $50,000 on her card. The win in the Go On BB Final Saturday also marked a new career best for the filly. In the very next race, the colts and geldings took over the spotlight with Bam Bam and Atlee Bender keeping up the trend of favorites picking up titles, this time in the $25,000 Hal Dale Series Final. The Tellitlikeitis son sat in third until getting flushed out around the final turn. Once he was clear, Bam Bam went to work, knocking down opponents until he reached the wire for the win by three lengths in 1:52.1. Check Your Pockets and LeWayne Miller finished second over Brookview Glider and Jordan Ross finished third. Bam Bam paid $2.20 for the win. He is owned by Anthony Lombardi, Engel Stable of IL and Tony Willinger. Erv Miller trains the gelding, who was bred and raised by Dan Shetler. Bam Bam is now five for six after going unraced as a two-year-old. His career best time was taken in the Hal Dale Final in 1:52.1.
Starlit Dan Dover shines in Expresson Final Starlit Dan Dover and Kyle Wilfong grabbed the spotlight in the $25,000 Expresson Final Friday, May 15 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. After finishing second in a preliminary round, the Indiana trotter made his second start of the season count in a big way for a big longshot victory. Starlit Dan Dover was one of two entered in the final for the LeWayne Miller barn. Miller opted to drive Nighthawk Zette, calling on Kyle Wilfong to take over the duties behind Starlit Dan Dover, an assignment he had previously handled with the gelding with two wins in two drives. Wilfong and Starlit Dan Dover began from post two and got away fourth as Kousin Karl and Trace Tetrick rallied out to an early lead to show the way through the quarter in :28.2. Sunday Swagger and Marcus Miller were then out and rolling at the half in :57.0, taking over around the final turn, August Salazar and John DeLong, then got into the mix and pulled to the outside to challenge for the top spot, which prompted Starlit Dan Dover to the outside as well. In the stretch, Starlit Dan Dover was on the move, trotting home in :28.2 to score the win by a neck at the wire over August Salazar. Tuggin Thomas and Jordan Ross closed from the back for third. Starlit Dan Dover paid $48.20 for the win. The sophomore son of Dover Dan is owned by Richard Freese, L & N Racing, Matthew Lamont, and Dynamic Stables. John Wagler bred the trotter, who sold from the RND Standardbred consignment at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. Nathan Yoder, part of L & N Racing, signed the ticket for him for $30,000. Starlit Dan Dover is the first foal from the mare Jeans and Heels. Although she didn’t race, she comes from a family that did. Her half brother is Jacks to Open, a winner in 1:53.4 with more than a half million on his card. She is also a brother to Joey, a winnin in 1:52.1 with more than $378,000 in earnings. Later in the card, it was the filly trotter’s time in the spotlight as Fresh Face Yankee and Jay Cross led gate to wire for the win by two lengths in 1:54.4. The Cresent Fashion filly, owned by Tim Smith, was a standout last season on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit for Smith, who owned, trained, and drove her. He has now put her in the hands of Cross as the trainer this season. Fresh Face Yankee is now three for three this season and is 12 for 18 overall. She now has more than $65,000 on her card and her win Friday established a new lifetime mark. Make It Spicy and Kyle Wilfong finished second in the race over Expressive Gal and Atlee Bender.
Photo by Dean Gillette Ponda Swan and Marcus Miller turned in a strong final quarter for their first win of 2026 in $10,000 conditioned claiming event Thursday, May 14 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The Indiana gelding rallied home in :27.3 to score the win at the wire in 1:56.2. Ponda Swan began from post seven and came out of the gate seeking a spot near the front end. However, a slew of horses to his inside had the same idea so he was able to back off the early pace setters and got away in fifth as Dejoma and Trace Tetrick were the first leaders at the quarter in :27.3, quickly taken over by race favorite Surf Scoter and Kiwon Waldron. Heading to the half, Ponda Swan was flushed out and he began to go to work past the half in :57.1. He inched up along the outside of Surf Scoter and was head and head with him at the top of the lane. Ponda Swan swung one more lane out and trotted home to get the win by a neck over Dejoma on the inside. Swan man and Atlee Bender rallied up late for third. Ponda Swan paid $13.20 for the win. He is owned by William Hartt of Maine and trained by Ryan Bellamy. Fashion Hill Farm and Pond-A-Acres teamed up as the breeder on the trotter. He was initially purchased out of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale for $23,000 as the second foal of Chelseas Chance, a winner in 1:55.3 with more than $300,000 on his card. He was unraced at two and won six races last year. He was acquired by his current connections last August. It was the second win of the night for trainer Ryan Bellamy. He also kicked off the night in the $10,000 - $15,000 claimer with a win from Renegade Gypsy, driven by John DeLong. Bluebird Deacon and Trace Tetrick finished second over Latin Lover and Kyle Wilfong.
Photo by Dean Gillette Whoomp, the freshman phenom from the Roger Welch barn, is back. Named Indiana’s Pacer of the Year last season as a two-year-old, the three-year-old daughter of Rockin Image made her second qualifying appearance Wednesday, May 13 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, picking up her first win. Guided by John DeLong, Whoomp wasted no time out of the gate, heading straight to the lead. The pint-sized Incredible Luck driven by DeShawn Horton slipped in the two hole followed by Talk Softly and Marcus Miller. Whoomp led by open lengths through the quarter in :28.4 and half in :58.0. Talk Softly stayed as close as she could around the final turn before Whoomp took off, moving out to an eight and one-quarter length advantage at the wire in 1:52.3. She paced her final quarter in :26.2. Talk Softly moved up into second over Incredible Luck. Whoomp is a homebred from the DeLong family breeding operation. She is owned by William DeLong, Wm. Patrick Delong, and Jesse Delong. William and Wm. Patrick bred her from the family’s mare Nightcap, a daughter of Sweet Lou who only made a couple of starts. However, she has turned out to be a great brood mare for the DeLongs. With three foals of racing age, she has three winners, including former Indiana Sires Stakes winner Teelatini with a mark of 1:49.4 and more than a half million on her card, and still racing. The other foal is Saba Rock, also still racing with a mark of 1:49.1 and more than $100,000 In earnings. The family has a two-year-old colt this year by Tellitlikeitis named Soggy Man and a yearling filly, also by Tellitlikeitis named Teelateton. The DeLong family also had another winner on the day as Rock the Charm scored a win in her qualifier for Driver John DeLong. Trained by Tabatha DeLong, Rock the Charm moved to the lead around the final turn and pulled away by nearly five lengths in 1:52.3, a final quarter paced in :26.3. Brooklets Rockette and Kevin Lambright finished second over Fox Valley Tessa and Marcus Miller. Rock the Charm is owned by Jesse, John, and William DeLong. Also a homebred, Jesse bred and raised the Rockin Image filly, who is out of their standout race mare Seventimesacharm, a winner in 1:51.0 with more than a quarter million in earnings. Rock the Charm is her first foal and took a mark last year of 1:51.2 and made more than $155,000. She has a two-year-old sister named Showmesevens by Best in Show and a yearling filly by Loubet named Charmielouwho. It was the second qualifier of the year for Rock the Charm, who has won both of them.
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Tookadiveoffdipper and Atlee Bender launched a big final half in the $13,000 conditioned pace Monday, May 11 at Oak Grove. The Indiana duo defeated another Indiana duo for the win in 1:53.0. Tookadiveoffdipper began from post five, just on the outside of Ponda Eagle and Marcus Miller. Both Indiana sired horses showed the best early speed and moved out as the first two names heard. Mankat and Geremy Bobbitt held their ground inside and took the top spot with Ponda Eagle on the outside. Tookadiveoffdipper slipped into the three hole around the first turn. Heading past the quarter, Ponda Eagle took over and was on the lead after the quarter in :27.2. The pace of the race stayed pretty even to the half in :55.4 before outside action was detected. Rockin Ella Mae and Zyler Maxwell led the outer flow which prompted Tookadiveoffdipper to the outside heading into the final turn. The old timer powered up and was matching his younger Indiana opponent stride for stride at the head of the lane. With his earplugs out, Tookadiveoffdipper was able to grind his way home to win by a half length over Ponda Eagle. Mankat rounded out the top three. Tookadiveoffdipper paid $4.24 for the win. The now 12-year-old gelding is owned by Jane Cross and has been under her ownership in some form or fashion since his three-year-old season. The Always a Virgin gelding now has 59 wins and more than $746,000 in earnings. He has 265 starts from nearly every state that races east of the Mississippi. His best time of 1:49.2 was taken as a four-year-old at Dayton Raceway. Jim Eaton trains Tookadiveoffdipper, who has three wins in 2026. Eaton had an earlier winner also at Oak Grove Monday, another Indiana sired product. Rockin Pulse, driven by Wyatt Avenatti, was parked the entire mile near the back and still came charging home, winning by a neck over Wide Thinking at Joey Putnam. The seven-year-old Rockin Image gelding paced home in :27.1 for the win in 1:56.2. Seriously Feared and Brandon Bates finished third. Rockin Pulse paid $4.58 for the win. He is owned by Mary Van Boven of Michigan. It was his first win of 2026 and his 17 th overall. Rockin Pulse is a product of Rockstar Meadows of Spencerville, Ind. Van Boven has been part of his ownership his entire career.
Photo by John Adamsky The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) has taken their membership options to a new level. The organization recently launched a new online feature, making it convenient and easy for members to obtain and renew memberships to the ISA. Previously, ISA memberships were only available by mailing in the application to the ISA Office. Now, members can simply scan the QR Code provided on various flyers distributed around Harrah’s Hoosier Park. They will also be available on the upcoming Indiana Sired Fair Circuit. It’s important to note, the membership comes with Sulky Insurance. However, horses owned by multiple people require membership for each individual owner to cover any damage incurred on a race bike or jog cart. Other benefits for being an ISA member include the annual Indiana Standardbred Director and ISA Magazine, which has five issues per year, ISA Dental and Optical programs, representation with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and the Indiana Statehouse during the legislature session, eligibility to the ISA Elite Series, voting privileges for by-law changes and election of ISA Directors, and on-site track representation at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. ISA Members are also treated to numerous outings annually, including a day at an Indianapolis Indians game, golf outing, which is coming up in June, and special feeds offered at both Harrah’s Hoosier Park and on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit. The ISA recently offered ISA Night at the Races with members enjoying food, drawings, and of course great racing. ISA Annual Membership is $50 per individual. There is a small fee added in for using the online application process. The new option online allows members to sign up quickly and efficiently in the paddock, on the ISFC, or 24-7 from the convenience of their home or work. For more information on the new online ISA membership option, contact the ISA Office at (317) 462-6616 or contact the ISA Horsemen’s Representatives Rick and Casandra Uppal, available in the paddock during racing nights at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Photo by Dean Gillette Aces and Cinches and Daryl Bontrager rallied home like a boss Saturday, May 9 in the $10,000 conditioned pace at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Once they were clear, they coasted under the wire for the mild upset win in 1:52.2. Aces and Cinches began from post one and used some early speed, but could not match the quick foot of Mellow Fellow, who went straight out to the lead. In another few strides, here came Underwriter and Kyle Wilfong with a big move from the outside to take over before the quarter in :27.3. They were able to back the pace down to the half in :56.4 and Aces and Cinches stayed in as long as he could before being flushed to the outside first over heading into the final turn. That was the cue Aces and Cinches needed. He powered up and around Underwriter and was on top of the field by four when the field swung into the stretch. Aces and Cinches was on cruise control as he distanced himself from his opponents. Albany Blue Chip and Trace Tetrick closed with a big rush down the lane and appeared to have second before Mellow Fellow and Jared Finn came back between horses on the inside and picked up second by a nose over Albany Blue Chip. Aces and Cinches was a winner by two and one-half lengths in the 1:52.2 mile. Aces and Cinches paid $12.00 for the win. The sophomore son of Odds on Equuleus is owned by Ira Steinberg and Bontrager. Alpine Stables bred and raised the colt, who is out of the mare Gypsy Bellevue. The breeding might look familiar as Aces and Cinches is a half brother to the great Sabonis, a winner in 1:47.3 with more than $800,000 on his card. The family has a yearling filly this year by Best in Show cleverly named Caitlin Clerk. Aces and Cinches sold at the Midwest Classic Mixed Sale in Shipshewana as a yearling under the name Atta Boy Blue. Steinberg and Bontrager purchased him for $33,000. He was one of eight sold from Odds on Equuleus that season at the yearling sales and he’s the same age as world champion Odds on Mr Mamba, who won his qualifier again earlier in the day at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in preparation for his return to racing in 2026. Also a winner on the night was Kountry Carrots, a four-year-old daughter of Better Joy N. Guided by Atlee Bender, the Capt Midnight mare was out twice seeking the top spot before coming back again in the lane and grabbing the win by a nose over Babe’s Darla at the wire in 1:54.3. Boujeeful and John DeLong finished third. Kountry Carrots paid $5.60 for the win. She is owned by the Erv Miller Stable and Levi Bontrager. Kountry Lane Standardbred bred and raised her. This was her first win of 2026 after winning six last year as a two-year-old. Like Aces and Cinches, Kountry Carrots is royally bred. She is the daughter of Bettor Joy N, a winner in 1:50.1 with more than a half million on her card. She is the first foal from the Bettor’s Delight mare, who has also produced Kountry Blue a winner last year at two in 1:53.1. The family has a two-year-old this season named Kountry Tillie by Captaintreacherous and a yearling this year by Rockroad Hanover, a colt named I’m In A Hurry.
