Undefeated freshmen Mr Knowitall and Here We Go BB attempt to extend their winning streaks to five races Monday (July 4) and Tuesday (July 5) at the Clinton County Fair in Frankfort, Ind. The two-day program is round six in the Indiana fair circuit’s "Quest for the Governor's Cup".
First post each day is 11 a.m. (EDT), with 10 $3,500 races scheduled Monday and nine divisions carded Tuesday.
Doug Rideout, last season’s leading driver and trainer, conditions and pilots both top two-year-olds. Under his care, trotter Mr Knowitall has claimed victory in each of his four fair starts. The You Know You Do-Euphoric Hanover gelding currently leads the divisional points race for owners Julie Rideout of Winchester, Ind., and Alan White of Fountain City, Ind. Bred by Joe Hostetler, the freshman won by more than four lengths last week in action at Frankfort, trotting a seasonal best 2:07.2. He has drawn post 4 in Monday’s sixth race.
Here We Go BB wired the field in her Frankfort victory last week for Rideout in a time of 2:02.1, a new mark for the pacing filly. The Tellitlikeitis-U Reeka B B freshman won by four lengths for owner Sheila Parcher of Napoleon, Ohio. The two-year-old, now four-for-four, was bred by Victory Hill Farm. Here We Go BB will start from the pylons in Tuesday’s third contest.
Mr Knowitall and Here We Go BB headline a contingent of Indiana-sired trotters and pacers that are among North America’s leading two-year-olds in wins. Through July 1, five of the top six spots in the rankings are occupied by Indiana horses. Joining Mr Knowitall and Here We Go BB on the list are four-time winners Check In Process, Tucky Girl and Reckless Reviver. Only Illinois-based Fillys Revenge has more wins, with five to her credit.
Divisional points leader Check In Process can add to her win total this week at Frankfort. The Check Six filly claimed victory in four of five previous starts for trainer and driver Charlie Conrad and will line up in post 5 in Tuesday’s first event. Check in Process won by two lengths last week at Frankfort for owners Sarah Conrad of Morristown, Ind., and David Lessen of Charlestown, Ind.
Other horses looking for repeat victories at the Clinton County Fair include freshmen filly pacers Swartz Bros Elen and Kruisin Kristen, and two-year-old pacing colts M-Ms Tony, Mercy Rock and divisional leader Lil Joe Iv. Sophomore trotters Crescent Beauty, Lonestar Fashion and Hand Dover Dan will attempt to go two-for-two at Frankfort, as will three-year-old pacers Velstraightdreamer, divisional leader Babe’s Darla, Vel Bitter Chip and Always-A-Laser.
Rideout maintains a 29-21 lead in the driver standings over second place Jordan Ross. Each collected five winners at Frankfort last week. Jay Cross steered three winners last week to raise his win total to eight this season and move ahead of Michael Detweiler (7) in the standings. Rideout’s 30 training victories top Mervin Schmucker (14) and the trio of Leander Schwartz, Alvin Miller and Larry King (six apiece).
Listed below are the top eight point earners in each division, including ties, to date. 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 Aug. 11 at the Indiana State Fair.
Two-Year-Old Filly Pace
Check In Process 213; Here We Go BB 204; Kruisin Kristen 179; Swartz Bros Elen 154; Tell Me Lies 142; Live Your Life 128; Real Sweet Desire 116; Incredible Luck 112
Two-Year-Old Colt Pace
Lil Joe Iv 154; Master Splinter 153; M-Ms Tony 141; Isitlikeittell 138; Vel Big Bruiser 129; Little Fighter 112; Glawbanera 102; Mercy Rock 92
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot
Tucky Girl 204; If Not For You 179; Youknowyoudid, Sure Do, Cash In The Bank 154; Unforgettable 108; Gigi Dream 103; Edge Of Rejoicing 84
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot
Mr Knowitall 204; Reckless Reviver 179; Help Dust 142; Starlit Swan Song, Prince Henry 134; A Majorsmackin 103; Golden Prince 92; Dover Glide 80
Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Babe's Darla 166; Vel Goodgolly Molly 109; Velstraightdreamer 103; Zig Zag Zoom 91; Al Perfection 87; Mystical Image 86; Swartz Bros Jane 57; Marla's Got Legs, Party Shaker 51
Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
Virgins Beach Boy 141; Vel Bitter Chip 118; Vel Larry 112; Vel Wemiss U Dean 91; Luckychris 77; Riggins Revenge 65; Always-A-Laser, Everything Z Tam 51
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Crescent Beauty 230; Walk With Me 179; Fashion's Way 141; Double A Samantha 77; First N Line 75; ABC Tucky 65; Swans Lady 58; Massive Stride 51
Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Lonestar Fashion 205; Hand Dover Dan 154; Molly's Jail 112; Swartz Bros Sam 91; Vel Jail Bondsman 75; Summit City Sonny 60; Fly Like A Plane 48; V-Keys Striper 41
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
- Complete - Round 4: Shelbyville, Ind. - June 21 & 22
- Complete - 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 on race days. Races will be archived on the website.
(USHWA Indiana)