Indianapolis, IN — The first round in the Indiana fair circuit’s “Quest for the Governor’s Cup” kicks off Wednesday (June 1) and Thursday (June 2) at the Converse Fairgrounds.

A total of 142 horses were entered for the two programs, with 18 divisions of freshman trotters and pacers seeing their first racing action of the season. Post time each day is 11 a.m. The two cards make up the first of 12 rounds in the Quest, where 2- and 3-year-olds will compete to secure the necessary starts and points to qualify for the Governor’s Cup Championships, held Aug. 11 at the Indiana State Fair.

Fourteen $3,500 divisions will go postward June 1, with five divisions apiece for freshman pacing fillies and colts. Two divisions were drawn for 3-year-old trotting fillies, with a pair carded for sophomore colt trotters.

Dover Dance, a winner in 12 of 14 starts last season, will make her 2022 debut for owner Greg Runyon. The trotting filly will be driven by trainer Jay Cross in the afternoon’s 12th race.

Thursday’s program consists of 12 races, with four divisions drawn for both freshman trotting fillies and colts. The card will conclude with two divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers and two for pacing colts. Each race carries a $3,500 purse.

Velstraightdreamer, a leading pacing filly on the circuit last season, returns to fair competition June 2 after seven pari-mutuel starts. She has drawn post four in the day’s ninth race for trainer Larry King.

Luckychris and Caches Miracle, Governor’s Cup champion and runner-up in last year’s 2-year-old pacing colt division, have drawn into race 11. Caches Miracle starts from the rail for driver Logan Loney, while Clifton Bell will guide Luckychris from post five.

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

Quest for the Governor’s Cup dates and locations
Round 1: Converse, Ind. – June 1 & 2
Round 2: Converse, Ind. – June 8 & 9
Round 3: Corydon, Ind. – June 16 & 17
Round 4: Shelbyville, 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

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.

For a complete and printable list of all Indiana harness racing dates for 2022, click here. If you have questions about the Indiana fair racing program, contact the Indiana Horse Racing Commission at 317.233.3119 or email INhorseracing@hrc.in.gov.