Indianapolis, IN — Indiana’s 2022 county fair harness racing season is just days away, and this year’s program features new branding and social media initiatives.

Two- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers, as well as horsemen and women from around the state, will participate weekly in the “Quest for the Governor’s Cup,” which culminates in the fair championships in August. Racing fans can follow along and participate using #Quest4GovCup on social media channels. Each week’s racing stop is a round in the Quest, the first two kicking off at Converse on June 1 and 2, and returning June 8 and 9.

The circuit then travels to Corydon (June 16, 17); Shelbyville (June  21, 22); Frankfort (June 27, 28, July 4, 5); Kentland (July 9); Kendallville (July 9); Portland (July 13); back to Shelbyville (July 18, 19); Goshen (July 23, 25, 26); returning to Connersville (Aug. 1, 2); and again at Portland (Aug. 6).

At each location, horses will accumulate points based on their performance. 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 at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 11.

In an effort to better recognize new track record holders at the Indiana county fairs, Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board has partnered with USHWA Indiana chapter to launch a new endeavor. Each horse who breaks a speed record in his/her division will receive an elegantly-designed neck sash to honor the achievement.

“Prior to last season we documented the records for each location, and by season’s end, there were more than a dozen new speed records across the fairs. We want to present a sash to new record holders as a way to recognize their accomplishment. Hopefully the sash will be a visual source of pride for horsemen investing in the Indiana county fair program,” explains James Platz, USHWA Indiana chapter president.

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.