The Indiana State Fair is now underway for its 17-day schedule. The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) is back with special Speed Barn Tours, offering fair goers a look at one of the oldest sports in the state, harness racing.
The Speed Barn Tours provide all types of activities, from the interactive virtual reality goggles to equipment and posters explaining the details of racing. However, the most popular portion of the Speed Barn Tours are the visits with retired racehorses. The Speed Barn Tours wouldn’t be the same without an appearance from Rocket Fuel, who has been involved in the tours each year since they were implemented.
A son of Indiana sire Dontgetinmyway, Rocket Fuel enjoyed a nine-year career on the track, bringing in 40 wins and more than $784,000 in earnings. His career best time of 1:50 was taken as a seven-year-old at then Indiana Downs. The former Indiana Sires Stakes champ was unraced at two but retired at the end of his 11-year-old year. The gelding is now 25-years-old and is enjoying retirement near Converse. Alvin Miller trained the gelding his entire career for Twila Harts.
Several thousand people will pass through the display for Indiana harness racing during the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The display is open on select days and more than 2,500 people enjoyed the tour the very first day it was open Friday, August 7.
Volunteers are always needed and welcomed to assist with the Speed Barn Tours. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Emily Dever at (765) 860-2312. Volunteers are suggested for three to four-hour shifts. Hours of the tours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the weekends of the Indiana State Fair. All volunteers receive a free fair pass and free parking.
