The first round in the Indiana fair circuit’s "Quest for the Governor's Cup" produced several memorable performances and two new Converse track records.

The series returns to the Converse Fairgrounds on Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8, with a 4 p.m. post time each day. A total of 21 races are carded Wednesday, and Thursday’s program offers 18 divisions, with newly-minted track record holders Shake Me Loose and Coaches Corner set to compete in their respective classes. 

Sophomore pacing filly Shake Me Loose was the first to establish a new Converse standard during the Friday, June 2 program. Drawing into the first race, John DeLong guided the daughter of Always A Virgin-Sand Pleasure to an impressive 20-length advantage at the wire, winning in a time of 1:55.3. Bred by Lavon Miller, the filly is owned by DeLong’s wife, Tabatha (who trains Shake Me Loose), their daughters, Jessica and Allison, and his father, Jesse. The winning time lowered the previous mark of 1:56.2 established in 2016 by the Byron Hooley-trained Rockin Rum Springa, also the track’s all-age pacing mark.

Rockin Rum Springa’s record may have been erased, but by day’s end, another Hooley pupil would own the overall speed mark at Converse. Sophomore pacer Coaches Corner, driven by Hooley's son, Derek, swept three-wide to take command inside the last quarter-mile and held off Vel What A Star by a length and a half in a 1:54.1 performance. The gelded son of Always A Virgin-Carobbean Pacetry shaved more than two seconds off the previous mark of 1:56.3, set by Vel Letsroll South in 2021. Owned by Hooley’s Summit Pacing Acres, the three-year-old was bred by Black Creek Farm and Hickory Hollow Stables.

Shake Me Loose and Coaches Corner join the 33 other division winners from week one that have entered for second round action. Shake Me Loose has drawn post three in the third of four $3,800 splits (Race 3) for sophomore pacing fillies slated for Thursday. Coaches Corner lines up in the second tier in the second of three divisions (Race 6) for three-year-old pacing colts.

Six divisions of freshman pacing fillies will battle Wednesday afternoon. Mystical Glance, the fastest filly winner last week (2:00.3) has drawn the outside in the day’s fifth race. The Henry Graber Jr. trainee is one of four winners from last week sired by Luck Be Withyou.

Wheres Drogon highlights the first of eight divisions for two-year-old pacing colts. The son of Freaky Feet Pete, trained and driven by James Yoder, is the only week one winner to dip below the two-minute barrier, pacing to victory in 1:59. Lets Drink On It progeny Mister Hercules (2:00.1) has drawn into Race 11 while Notorious Luck (2:00.4) starts from Post 3 in Race 8.

Yoder steered five winners last week at Converse -- all horses he also trains. Doug Rideout, defending leading fair circuit driver and trainer, conditioned and piloted four winners. The father-son team of Charlie and Carson Conrad collected two wins. Carson steered freshman pacers Rockinwithdave and Hereisthedesire to victory for his father, who handles the training duties.

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.

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. Fans can also download fair programs throughout the season by visiting indianaharness.com.

The 2023 Quest for the Governor’s Cup locations and dates are listed below:

• Round 1: Converse, Indiana - June 1 & 2 - Complete
• Round 2: Converse, Indiana - June 7 & 8
• Round 3: Corydon, Indiana - June 15 & 16
• Round 4: Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Anderson, Indiana - June 21, 22 & 23
• Round 5: Shelbyville, Indiana - June 27 & 28
• Round 6: Portland, Indiana - July 3
• Round 7: Kendallville, Indiana - July 8
• Round 8: Frankfort, Indiana - July 13 & 14
• Round 9: Kentland, Indiana - July 18
• Round 10: Goshen, Indiana - July 22 & 25
• Round 11: Connersville, Indiana - July 31 & Aug. 1
• Round 12: Portland, Indiana - Aug. 5
• Round 13: Frankfort, Indiana - Aug. 10 & 11
• Governor’s Cup Championships: Indianapolis, Indiana - Aug. 16

(With files from USHWA Indiana)