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Dandy's Litl Bro and Atlee Bender slide by on the outside for the win in the final step, Friday, July 31 at Harrah's Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette Dandy’s Litl Bro and Atlee Bender kept up the family tradition Friday, July 31 to close out the month of racing with a win in the $16,000 Indiana Sires Stakes eligibles event for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The youngster earned his first win in his fourth start in the event in a time of 1:57.1. Dandy’s Litl Bro was gapping off the gate at the start and slowly moved over to the inside, getting away next to last as Royal Rebuff and Marcus Miller moved out to take the early lead at the quarter in :29.0. Maxximillion and John DeLong moved out and to the lead before the half in :58.4 to keep the tempo brisk for the group of six freshman trotters. Heading into the final turn, Bender moved Dandy’s Litl Bro to the outside and was in third place on the outside before Royal Rebuff moved back out heading into the stretch. Dandy’s Litl Bro was widest of all and there were four horses across the track midway through the lane. Rollin Giannis and Trace Tetrick were between horses and also moving swiftly to the wire. Dandy’s Litl Bro got the edge in the last step, winning by a nose over Rollin Giannis. Maxximillion held his ground inside for third. Dandy’s Litl Bro paid $9.00 for the win. The Rebuff gelding is owned by Ervin Miller Stable and Red Barn Stable. Homestead Acres bred the two-year-old, who is trained by Erv Miller. He is a half brother to the standout three-year-old trotter Dan D Man Can, who picked up a new lifetime mark earlier this year of 1:52.4 and has more than $339,000 on his card and counting. Dandy’s Litl Bro sold as a ridgling last fall in the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale under the name Melamaster. Bob Black signed the ticket for the horse for $13,000 and he joined the Erv Miller Stable, who also campaigns Dan D Man Can. So far, the older son of the mare Caramela Hanover is a perfect seven for seven for the Miller barn and scored his latest win the night before in Indiana Sires Stakes action. While the youngsters were in the spotlight, one older veteran scored a win on the Friday program with Shamwow and Trace Tetrick earning a gate to wire win in the upper conditioned pace. Trained by Walter Haynes Jr., Shamwow was a winner by four and a quarter lengths in 1:49.0, a final panel paced in :27.1. Howard Hughes N and Marcus Miller finished second with ER Rambo and Kevin Lambright rounding out the trifecta. Shamwow, now 10, paid $7.40 for the win. He is owned by Jeff Fought Racing and was a homebred for Fought from his Cornerstone Stock Farm. The Always a Virgin gelding now has 25 career wins and more than $538,000 on his card. He has paced under the 1:50 time barrier several times, but his win Friday was a new lifetime mark for the veteran.
Photo of Brookview Glider and Jordan Ross by Dean Gillette It’s been a big year for Brookview Farm as many of their horses have earned a lot of wins. One more of the horses from their farm has now stepped up his game as Brookview Glider and Jordan Ross turned into a flying machine Thursday, July 30 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Starting from post eight didn’t deter Brookview Glider from leaving the gate with speed, settling in third as King Tellit and Jay Cross held down the top spot through the quarter in :26.4. The field remained in single file through the half in :56.1 before the pace picked up in the final turn. King Tellit had a couple lengths on the field heading into the stretch. In the lane, Ross found the room he needed to scoot Brookview Glider out and advance, getting the to wire just in time for the win by a neck over King Tellit. Brookview Glider paced home in :26.2 for the win in 1:51.0, a new lifetime mark. Rock My Memory and LeWayne Miller finished third. Brookview Glider paid $48.80 for the win. The three-year-old son of Rockin Image is owned by Brian Code, James Nellinger, and Ernie Gaskin Stables. Gaskin trains the gelding, who now has four wins in 2026. After not winning as a two-year-old, he has come to life this year, earning more than half of his $80,000 bankroll. Gaskin signed the ticket for Brookview Glider at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale for $23,000. He is the first foal of the Captaintreacherous mare Significant Other, who raced in Pennsylvania before becoming a brood mare. She is a half sister to the tough racehorse Bettor Again, a winner in 1:48.2 with more than $350,000 in earnings. Earlier in the card, veteran trotter Meadowbrook Mark moved out in the lane and scored a victory in 1:55.0 in claiming action. The seven-year-old son of Dover Dan was driven to victory by Atlee Bender for Trainer Nikki Hauck. The gelding paid $9.40 for the win with Jailhouse Dance and Marcus Miller finishing second over Rock Party and John DeLong for third. Meadowbrook Mark is owned by Haucks Racing Stables and was bred by Karl Miller. He now has 16 career wins with his best time of 1:54.3 taken as a five-year-old. Overall, he has earned more than $140,000.
PHOTO - Kevin Detweiler guides Brookview Holiday to victory, one of eight wins on the card Wednesday, July 29 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds to sweep the day's races on the ISFC. There isn’t 100 percent certainty, but the number of drivers who have swept an entire racing program in horse racing history is pretty low. Kevin Detweiler did just that Wednesday, July 29 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds when he guided winners in all eight races. The program was postponed from the previous day due to weather and track conditions, but the 18-year-old Detweiler was ready for action when the program began in Connersville. Detweiler’s first win was his closest. Guiding two-year-old trotting filly Sassytemper, the duo went straight to the lead from the start, fending off Mike Peterson and Misty Springs in the final strides for the win by a neck in 2:05.4. Wizards Temptation and Robert Taylor finished third. Sassytemper, a daughter of Temporal Hanover, is owned and trained by Joseph Wagler. She was bred by Gary Miller. The win was her sixth in nine starts this year. She leads the way among freshman trotting fillies by points in the Quest for the Governor’s Cup. Detweiler’s next win was in the two-year-old colt and gelding trot as Brookview Holiday, also the leader on the ISFC this season, got back on track with a win. The Temporal Hanover gelding, also owned and trained by Wagler of Milroy, Ind., had to delay a push to the top with a second tier start. After getting away third, he rolled to the outside heading to the three-quarter pole and took over around the final turn, picking up the win by two and one-half lengths in 2:08.3 over the good track. Impel Dan and Robert Taylor finished second with Keep It Fifty and Travis Williams finishing third. Brookview Holiday, a product of Brookview Farms, has been driven by Detweiler in all of his starts. His quickest win was at Frankfort this summer in 2:04.1. Other wins on the card for Detweiler were Bests Swans Rocker in two-year-old colt/gelding trotting action, Rita’s Girl and Velgetthisstraight in three-year-old filly pacing action, and Vel Im Good, Vel Big Shocker, and Vel See You Later in three-year-old colt and gelding pacing action. Ironically, trainer Joseph Wagler won the first four races with Larry King winning the last four. This is the second year of driving for Detweiler, who hails from Milroy, Ind. He won 35 races last year from 237 starts mainly on the ISFC. He earned his first career pari-mutuel win earlier this year before the ISFC got underway. To date, Detweiler has 69 wins in 2026 with a tally of 104 career wins from 503 starts. This season has been a breakout year for the young driver as he’s batting .439 as a driver in 2026. The ISFC heads back to Converse next week for two straight days with racing set for Saturday, August 8 at Portland. One more stop is slated on the ISFC before the finalists in the Governor’s Cup Championships at the Indiana State Fair. All ISFC contenders are required to have seven starts to advance to the $25,000 Championships. The top eight will compete in the championships while the next eight will race in the $10,000 consolations.
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After experiencing her first loss in her last start on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, Bella Notte and trainer-driver Joe Putnam were back on track Monday, July 27 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Connersville, Ind. The freshman pacing filly kicked off the 12 th session of the ISFC with a win. Bella Notte began from post three in the six-filly lineup and Putnam took his time with the homebred filly. They got away in third but were gapping by several lengths off the top two with Velmissfoxyshooter and Clint Coy leading the way to the quarter in :30.0 followed closely by Kobe’s BB and Kevin Detweiler. As the field passed by the grandstand for the first time, Bella Notte had caught up to the leaders and moved to the outside at the half in 1:02.2. At this point, she challenged Velmissfoxyshooter on the outside for the remainder of the race. Velmissfoxyshooter was not going away quietly, but Bella Notte kept her composure and stayed focus through the final turn before finally taking over. Once on the lead, she pulled away for the win by two lengths in 2:01.3, a final quarter in :29.1. Kobe’s BB finished second over Velmissfoxyshooter. Bella Notte is now six for seven in her young career. The daughter of Capt Midnight is owned by Joey Putnam and Lyndar Stables. Lyndar Stables and Rocco Ruffolo bred the filly, who is out of Putnam’s race mare U’ll Learn, who was one of the first horses Joey Putnam drove when he began his driving career. The younger Putnam, who has driven her to four of her wins, was in Kentucky driving for the day, so Joe Putnam took the driving duties and is now two for two behind the filly. She retook control of the leaderboard headed to the Governor’s Cup Championships with 307 points. Her career best time of 1:59.0 was taken at Frankfort in early July. One of the closest finishes on the day was recorded in a division of the three-year-old trotting fillies as Strong ABC and Michael Detweiler fended off KC Macy and Kevin Detweiler at the finish line. Strong ABC led the field gate to wire in the win by a nose over KC Macy in 2:07.4. Bluebird Sappy and Mike Peterson finished third. Strong ABC is trained and leased by William Wagler. Darrell Swartzentruber bred the Strong Opponent three-year-old filly, who earned her second win of 2026. Michael Detweiler was a late driver change on the filly and he is now two for two on the ISFC with her this season. The ISFC is split into two locations Tuesday, July 28 with a return to the Fayette County Fairgrounds for action along with a second session scheduled for the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Goshen, Ind. The Fayette County Fairgrounds has eight races slated with the Elkhart County Fairgrounds showcasing 12 on their card. Both programs begin at 11 a.m.
Jacob Rheinheimer and Joe Morris present a check To Jennifer Daniels of the Standardbred Transition Alliance for money raised from Empire of Hope. Photo by Dean Gillette Harrah’s Hoosier Park held its annual Empire of Hope Saturday, July 25 to raise funding and awareness for racehorse aftercare initiatives. With several stations in play for the night, more than $50,000 was raised and presented to Jennifer Daniels of Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA). The day began with a rummage sale on the backside with various items for sale. The Horseshoe Café offered Lemon Shakeups with all proceeds to STA while a silent auction was held on handmade wooden planters. Rides around the racetrack were provided by several of the horsemen at Harrah’s Hoosier Park for a small fee earmarked to STA and T-shirts were on sale. Other fundraising activities included Give $5, Get $5 with patrons receiving $5 in play for their $5 donation. Joe Morris, Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, was trackside to make the presentation to Daniels with a check for $50,843.00 from Empire of Hope. The event also included food trucks, vendor market, mystery vouchers, and kids’ activities. The Casino floor also offered Reins to the Road with patrons entering a chance to win several big items, including a golf cart and zero turn mower.
Photo by Dean Gillette Bluebird Twilight and Trace Tetrick scored an impressive victory at dusk Saturday, July 25 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo was a winner during a special Empire of Hope event with the evening dedicated to racehorse aftercare and several fundraisers to benefit the Standardbred Transition Alliance. Bluebird Twilight began from post six and immediately made her presence known to the field in the $16,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Eligible event. She was leading the field through the quarter in :29.0 before passing by the half in :58.4 with everyone staying in place behind her. Around the final turn, Bluebird Twilight opened up on the field by three lengths as she turned for home. In the stretch, Madame Clicquot and Kyle Wilfong had been tracking her every move from the two hole and moved out to challenge. They were closing in but Bluebird Twilight held her ground for the win in 1:57.1. Madame Clicquot was a strong second over Help My Heart and John DeLong for third. Bluebird Twilight paid $9.40 for the win. The Rebuff filly is owned by Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey, Sara Haynes, and Y-Not Racing Stable. Walter Haynes Jr. trains the freshman filly who was bred and raised at Daryl Miller’s Blue Bird Meadows. The Haynes Stable signed the ticket for Bluebird Twilight last fall at the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale for the daughter of first crop sire Rebuff for $10,000. She sold early in the sale of the first session tagged as the Gold Session. It was the third career start for Bluebird Twilight and her first career win. She previously raced on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit at Converse to kick off her racing career in June. With Indiana Sires Stakes on the program for leg two of the series for two-year-old trotters taking center stage, it was an older Indiana bred who stole the spotlight in the sixth race. Ponda Jet, current track record holder on the trot, turned in a gate to wire effort for driver Kyle Wilfong. The six-year-old son of Dover Dan fended off a late challenge by Finite and Trace Tetrick for the win by a half length. Drink Up Drink Up and Brandon Bates finished third in the 1:52.3 mile. The effort by Ponda Jet ties his fastest win to date for 2026 taken at Oak Grove earlier this year. Ponda Jet paid $2.60 for the win. He is owned by Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig, and Allen Schwartz. Pond-A-Acres bred the superstar gelding, who has now won half of his starts in 2026. Overall, he is 39 for 86 with more than $859,000 on his card. His career best remains as his track record performance at four in a time of 1:50.0 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Photo by Dean Gillette Miss Alexis graduated to a new level Friday, July 24, winning the $16,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Eligibles for three-year-old pacing fillies. Guided by Marcus Miller, the Indiana pacer covered the mile in 1:51.4, a new lifetime mark. Starting from post six, Miss Alexis used just enough early speed to get away in mid pack as Willow Larue and Kyle Husted took off to the front spot with Rock the Charm and John DeLong holding their ground from the inside. Just past the quarter in :26.2, Tell’s in the Game and Atlee Bender moved out and around to take over the top spot. The top three pulled away from the rest of the field as they approached the half in :55.2. Miss Alexis was moved to the outside and began inching up on the outside in first over fashion. She was fully prepared to remain first over but did flush Rock The Charm to the outside in the final turn. She followed that cover into the stretch before flipping three wide and picking up the pace. Willow Larue snuck through on the rail to also close but it was Miss Alexis for the win with a final quarter paced in :26.4. Willow Larue finished three-quarters of a length back in second followed by Rock The Charm for third. Miss Alexis paid $17.60 for the win. The sophomore daughter of Capt Midnight is owned by Pollack Racing and Jeff Cullipher, who also trains. John McGill bred and raised the filly, was originally purchased by John Merkel, John Vorbeck, and Dan Smith from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. Pollack and Cullipher acquired her at the beginning of her racing career last July. To date, Miss Alexis is from a 100 percent maternal family that includes Grand Circuit (1:52.2, $113,000) and Think Fast (1:51.4, $84,000). The mare, Ginger Tree Alexis, took a mark of 1:51.2 and earned more than $448,000. She has a yearling to sell this fall named Tellitlikeginger, a daughter of Tellitlikeitis. Also a winner on the Friday card was Ponda Executive, a six-year-old son of Check Six. The Jordan Ross driven gelding moved from his mid-pack spot in the final turn and paced home in :26.1 for the win by one-half length in 1:51.0. Round Here Buzz and Trace Tetrick finished second over Low Rider and Marcus Miller. Ponda Executive paid $9.00 for the win. He is owned and trained by Perry Smith. Pond-A-Acres bred and raised the gelding, who is a half brother to the great Ponda Warrior. His younger brother, Ponda Executive, has a mark of 1:49.0 as the second fastest of a strong maternal family. He now has in excess of $275,000 on his card.
Photo by Dean Gillette Ishtar and “Big Ticket” Brandon Bates delivered big dividends to their backers Thursday, July 23 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo turned in a perfect trip to score the win in a new lifetime mark in the $10,000 fillies and mares non winners of one event. Ishtar began from post six and left the gate with some speed but was swallowed up on both sides by early speed. Bates was able to slide the sophomore filly in behind opponents, passing by the quarter in :26.3 in fifth place. Foolish Beetrayal and LeWayne Miller took over the early lead from the outside before Lady Wonder and Trace Tetrick were out and rolling forward at the half in :56.1. Once settled on the lead, Lady Wonder led the field around the final turn before being joined by Variant and Jordan Ross on the outside. In the stretch, Lady Wonder was challenged by Foolish Beetrayal as they two headed for the finish line. Bates opted to stay inside with Ishtar around the final turn and moved up the inside into third. Ishtar then found room to maneuver through traffic and found herself on the outside of Lady Wonder and Foolish Beetrayal. It was a three-horse photo at the finish line with Ishtar getting the edge by a neck over Lady Wonder and Foolish Beetrayal, with a nose separating them for second and third respectively. Ishtar was a surprise, paying $37.00 for the win. The daughter of Highalator is owned and trained by Brett Selby. Cavallo Stable of Illinois bred the filly, who picked up her second career win after winning her first in early June at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Ishtar has spent her entire career at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with no wins last year at two. Overall, she now has more than $25,000 on her card and was purchased by Selby last spring before taking on ownership in solo form earlier this spring. She is the first foal from the Shadyshark Hanover mare Karefree Kara, who took a mark of 1:51 and made more than $170,000 during her racing career. She has a two-year-old this season named Vel Illpay Yalater, a daughter of Keystone Velocity who has not started yet. Indiana Sires Stakes action was on the Thursday card with two-year-old trotters on tap. Temporal Power and Joey Putnam pulled in a big upset in their division, rallying home in :28.4 to win in 1:56.4. Steppinouttohelp and Robert Taylor finished second over Tipsy in Vegas and Jordan Ross. Temporal Power paid $71.40 for the win. The Temporal Hanover colt is owned by Per Eriksson, Michael Midford, Michael Retherford, and PCW Racing. Kristin Shetler trains the colt, who was bred and raised by Amos Schwartz. The colt sold with the Blue Bird Meadows consignment last fall at the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale with Dan Shetler signing the ticket as agent for $15,000. It was his second career start and his first win in the race. He is the son of Mystical Power, who took a mark of 1:55.3 and made more than $100,000 during her career. She is the dam of Power Hill, an Ohio bred who has a mark of 1:53.1 and made more than $110,000 and is still racing. She also has a yearling colt this year by Don’t Let’Em named Don’t Be Mystical, who will most likely be in the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale this fall. Per Eriksson, former standout trainer in the United States, returned to Sweden in 2001. During his career in the States, Eriksson won three Hambletonians, multiple Breeders Crowns, and five World Trotting Derbies, to name a few. He was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2022. Some of the standouts he conditioned included Trotter of the Year Giant Victory, Alf Palema, also Trotter of the Year and Lookout Victory, a winner of the Breeders Crown and Hambletonian Oaks.
