Veteran horseman Doug Rideout was a frequent visitor to the Harrison County Fairgrounds winner’s circle on Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17.
The Winchester, Indiana resident sent out nine winners over the course of two days at Corydon, the third round in the Indiana fair circuit’s "Quest for the Governor's Cup." Racing now returns to Converse for round four, with Rideout leading both the driver and trainer standings. Racing will be held Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 22, with 19 divisions carded over the two programs. First post each day is 10 a.m.
Freshman filly Tell Me Lies will attempt to earn her second straight win Tuesday for Rideout in the day’s second event. In three previous starts, the pacer earned two runner-up placings before securing her first career win last week for owner Julie Rideout, stopping the clock in 2:12.2. The defending leading driver and trainer also collected victories at Corydon with two-year-old filly trotters If Not For You, Unforgettable and Cash In The Bank, colt Mr Knowitall and sophomores Walk With Me, Crescent Beauty, Lonestar Fashion and Hand Dover Dan. All but Cash In The Bank and Mr Knowitall are entered to race this week.
Master Splinter, an impressive Always A Virgin colt trained by Terry Skinner, is perfect in two fair starts with a 1:58.4 mark on the half to his credit. Out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Glass In The Sand, the freshman won last week by 19-1/2 lengths for driver Curtis Bradford, pacing the mile in 2:05.4. Owned by Ar’tarrius Fleming, the colt will start from post two in Tuesday’s fifth race with Skinner in the bike.
Rideout’s big week in Corydon moved him to the top of the driver standings and placed even more distance between fellow conditioners in the trainer standings. With 20 victories, he is now seven scores in front of driver Jordan Ross (13), with Clifton Bell and Michael Detweiler tied for third with six wins apiece. Detweiler steered four winners at Corydon, with a triple the second day. Mervin Schmucker is the closest training rival, registering seven winners to date. Leander Schwartz ranks third with five victories.
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:
- Complete - Round 1: Converse, Ind. - June 1 & 2
- Complete - Round 2: Converse, Ind. - June 8 & 9
- Complete - Round 3: Corydon, Ind. - June 16 & 17
- Round 4: Converse, Indiana - June 21 & 22
- Round 5: Frankfort, Indiana - June 27 & 28
- Round 6: Frankfort, Indiana - July 4 & 5
- Round 7: Kendallville, Indiana and Kentland, Indiana - July 9
- Round 8: Portland, Indiana - July 13
- Round 9: Shelbyville, Indiana - July 18 & 19
- Round 10: Goshen, Indiana - July 23, 25 & 26
- Round 11: Connersville, Indiana - August 1 & 2
- Round 12: Portland, Indiana - August 6
- Governor’s Cup Championships: Indianapolis, Indiana - August 11
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.
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 at indianaharness.com on race days. Races will be archived on the website.
(USHWA Indiana)