Indiana Fair Circuit moves to Frankford

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (June 26, 2022) – The Indiana fair circuit’s “Quest for the Governor’s Cup” arrives in Frankfort Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 for a two-week harness racing engagement at the Clinton County Fair. A 10-race program is set for Monday, with 11 contests carded Tuesday in round five of the series. First post on both days is 11 a.m.

Undefeated freshman trotters Tucky Girl and Mr Knowitall lead the list of entries Monday. Pinetucky filly Tucky Girl enters the week three-for-three for trainer Mervin Schmucker. A 2:06.4 winner last week at Converse, the two-year-old, bred and owned by Rocking Meadows Stable of Grabill, Ind., will line up in post five for driver Joey Putnam.

The race is one of three $3,500 divisions for trotting fillies. Doug Rideout looks to guide Mr Knowitall to his fourth seasonal win in the day’s sixth race. The You Know You Do-Euphoric Hanover gelding skipped last week’s action in Converse after winning three straight to begin the fair season. Bred by Joe Hostetler, the trotter is owned by Julie Rideout of Winchester, Ind., and Alan White of Fountain City, Ind.

Babe’s Darla, who came within two-fifths of a second of equaling the Converse track record for sophomore pacing fillies last week with a 1:56.4 triumph, looks to add a third win in four fair starts.

Drawing post two in Monday’s eighth race, the Straight Shooting three-year-old will be driven by Jordan Ross for trainer Carl Newland and owner Hartley Farms of Fremont, Ohio. Babe’s Darla currently leads her division in points after four rounds.

Check In Process and Here We Go BB, the top point earners in their division, headline a group of two-year-old pacers set to battle Tuesday at Frankfort. After finishing fourth in her debut, Check Six filly Check In Process has won three consecutive starts.

Trained and driven by Charlie Conrad, the freshman has drawn post five in the day’s second contest. The pacer is owned by Sarah Conrad of Morristown, Ind., and David Lessen of Charlestown, Ind.

Here We Go BB and Rideout have drawn the rail in race four, the last in a quartet of divisions for fillies. The Tellitlikeitis-U Reeka B B lass is conditioned by Rideout for Sheila Parcher of Napoleon, Ohio. Here We Go BB is perfect in three starts, winning last week at Converse by more than five lengths.

Rideout extended his lead in both the driver and trainer standings last week, sending out five winners, four of which he piloted to victory. His 24 driving wins lead Jordan Ross (16), Michael Detweiler (7) and Clifton Bell (6). Rideout has conditioned 25 winners, followed by trainers Mervin Schmucker (10) and Leander Schwartz (6).

After last week’s action at Converse, this season’s Quest is one-third complete. Listed below are the top eight-point earners in each division, including ties, heading into Frankfort’s events.

Points are tabulated by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. Horses earn a point for each start made on the fair circuit, with race winners awarded 50 points. A second-place finish merits 25 points, a third-place effort yields 12 points, eight points are awarded for fourth place and five points for fifth place.

The top eight-point earners in each division that have also made the prerequisite seven fair starts will compete in the $25,000 Governor’s Cup Championships to be held August 11 at the Indiana State Fair.

Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Check In Process 162; Here We Go BB 153; Kruisin Kristen 128; Tell Me Lies 116; Incredible Luck 112; Swartz Bros Ellen, Real Sweet Desire 103; Live Your Life, Take Your Pick 102

Two-Year-Old Colt Pace
Master Splinter 153; Isitlikeittell 129; Vel Big Bruiser, Lil Joe Iv 103; Glawbanera 102; M-M’s Tony 90; Little Fighter 86; Wattastory 77

Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
If Not For You 179; Tucky Girl 153; Cash In The Bank 128; Youknowyoudid, Gigi Dream, Sure Do 103; Unforgettable 99; Motowns Girl, Edge Of Rejoicing 71

Two-Year-Old Colt Trot
Reckless Reviver 179; Mr Knowitall 153; Prince Henry 134; Help Dust 116; A Majorsmackin 90; Starlit Swan Song 83; Closed Deal 78; Woodside Genius 77

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Babe’s Darla 115; Vel Goodgolly Molly 96; Al Perfection, Zig Zag Zoom 78; Mystical Image 60; Velstraightdreamer 52; Marla’s Got Legs, Party Shaker 51

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
Virgins Beach Boy 115; Vel Larry 86; Vel Wemiss U Dean 78; Luckychris 77; Vel Bitter Chip 67; Riggins Revenge 52; Everything Z Tam 51; Caches Miracle 32

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Walk With Me 153; Crescent Beauty 128; Fashion’s Way 115; Double A Samantha 77; ABC Tucky 65; Curious Kayla, First N Line 48; Swan’s Lady 45

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Lonestar Fashion 154; Molly’s Jail 112; Hand Dover Dan 103; Swartz Bros Sam 65; Summit City Sonny 51; Vel Jail Bondsman 49; Fly Like A Plane 48; V-Keys Striper 32

Racing fans are encouraged to follow along and participate this season using #Quest4GovCup on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Quest for the Governor’s Cup Locations and Dates
Completed – Round 1: Converse, Ind. – June 1 & 2
Completed – Round 2: Converse, Ind. – June 8 & 9
Completed – Round 3: Corydon, Ind. – June 16 & 17
Completed – Round 4: Converse, Ind. – June 21 & 22
Round 5: Frankfort, Ind. – June 27 & 28
Round 6: Frankfort, Ind. – July 4 & 5
Round 7: Kendallville, Ind. and Kentland, Ind. – July 9
Round 8: Portland, Ind. – July 13
Round 9: Shelbyville, Ind. – July 18 & 19
Round 10: Goshen, Ind. – July 23, 25 & 26
Round 11: Connersville, Ind. – August 1 & 2
Round 12: Portland, Ind. – August 6
Governor’s Cup Championships: Indianapolis, Ind. – August 11

Indiana fair races will be available via livestream this season through a partnership between the Indiana Standardbred Association and Indiana Standardbred Breed Development. Fans can watch fair racing by visiting the ISA website, indianaharness.com, on race days. Races will be archived on the website.

by the USHWA Indiana Chapter