by Megan Arszman, Communications Coordinator, Indiana Horse Racing Commission

Indianapolis, IN — The thrill of standing in the winner’s circle with a young horse draped in the winner’s cooler is something all racehorse owners want to experience, and with the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit Championships, that dream came alive for eight champions during the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis on Aug. 9.

Following a hot summer of traveling to 11 different county fairs and accruing points, the top eight horses in each division of the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit met on the historic one-mile clay track on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Some wins were done in dominating fashion, while others were almost too close to call.

In the 2-year-old divisions, the Indiana stallion Tellitlikeitis was the hot name in pacing, with his first crop of foals taking home championships in their respective divisions.

Isitlikeitlooks and trainer/driver Jeff Dever set blazing fractions to take the 2-year-old colt pace for owners Jeffery and Kathy Cranor and Brian and Jane Mast. The brown colt is out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Miss Liz and was bred by Oakwood Farms in Indiana, and posted a lifetime best of 1:54.

Going 10-for-10 and undefeated in her career so far, Dojea Rita finished the Tellitlikeitis pacing sweep. The Maid’s Last Work (out of Dream Work) scored in the 2-year-old filly pace for owners Joe Smith and Michelle Graves. The filly was bred by Dojea Stables, trained by Donna Loney and driven to the win by Charlie Conrad. Her winning time was 1:55.1.

Whykatiewhy (Mr Cantab-Whybabywhy) earned the 2-year-old filly trot title in 2:03 for owners Hen-Shaut Stable. She was bred by Double D Farm and Hoosier Standardbred Farm in Indiana, driven by Jordan Ross and trained by Robert Taylor.

The Pilgrims Chuckie colt Chickiessweetdream (Sweet Stockings) earned the 2-year-old colt trot crown for breeder Floyd Raber. Walter Haynes Jr. took the reins for the injured trainer/owner Lester Raber, and brought the colt home in 1:59.2.

The 3-year-old divisions showed some the diversity of the Indiana-Sired program, with four different stallions scoring wins.

Canwetabemnow (Pinetucky-Beldame Hanover) scored the 3-year-old colt trot championship for breeder John Stoll and owner Devon Miller. The Curtis Sumpter-trainee was driven by Mike Peterson with a time of 1:57.2, winning by a nose over Mr Quaker.

It was almost a dead heat between GW’s Golden Dancer and Rail Desire, but the win was golden in 1:55, just barely. GW’s Golden Dancer is by Allthatgltrsisgold (out of Dance Hall) and was bred by Victory Hill Farms. Robert Taylor Racing Stables owns and trains the filly, with Odell Cross holding the reins.

Miss U Big Mike and Mike Peterson finished first by just a head in the 3-year-old colt pace, giving owners Funk Racing Stable and Charlie K Racing the win in 1:55.2. The colt is by He’s Gorgeous and out of Ready To Rumba, and was bred by Irwin Kaplan of New York.

In the final race of the night, Striking Encore scored a win for driver/trainer Doug Rideout in the 3-year-old filly trot, finishing in 1:57.3. The filly is by Encore Encore and out of the Striking Sahbra mare Striking Sweet Tea, and was bred by Shady Lane Meadows. Mervin Eicher is the owner.

The championship races were contested for purses of $20,000, while the consolation races between horses ranked ninth through 16th raced earlier in the day for a purse of $8,000.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch these young horses continue to improve and post faster times throughout the summer,” says Rachel Klotz, Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Coordinator. “Our stallions are throwing some very competitive foals right now.”

For more information on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, reach out to the IHRC at 317.232.2897 or by emailing Standardbred@hrc.in.gov.