The Indiana State Fair harbors a great history of Harness Racing in our state.  In 1852, the first Indiana State Fair Harness Racing was held at the original fairgrounds, Camp Morton which is now the site of Military Park in downtown Indianapolis.  In 1892, after several years of racing, the State Fairgrounds moved to its current location on 38^th Street.

Over the years, many milestones have been achieved on the historic clay oval.  In 1910, Minor Heir broke the track’s two-minute mark with a 1:59 time trial.  The Indiana State Fairgrounds is probably most known as the home of the Fox Stake.  The first Fox Stake was won in 1927 by Red Pluto and Sep Palin.  They were the first to capture this coveted stake, which is an annual attraction to some of the best pacing colts in the country.  

Several world-records have been established over the years of racing at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  In 1939, Greyhound trotted to a world record of 1:58.4.  Thirty years later, Nevele Pride lowered the mark by 4 seconds with his 1:54.4 performance.  Nevele Pride’s time lasted nearly 20 years, but was bettered by Peace Corps’ 1:54.1 effort in 1988.  Times were not the only records set over the years of racing at Indianapolis.  The 1987 Fox Stake featured a record purse of $222,000 and was won by Albert Albert in a time of 1:52.4.

A regular stop for many stables on the Grand Circuit, Indianapolis has been paramount in the stake schedule of many top horses in harness racing.  Each year, the Indiana State Fair hosts the Horseman Stake (formerly Horseman Futurity), the Hoosier Stake, and the Fox Stake.  In addition to these Grand Circuit events, the fair is also the site of the Finals for the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit events.

In addition to hosting racing each year, the “Track of Champions” at the fairgrounds is a year round training facility with a 1-mile track and a half-mile all weather training track in the center.  Many trainers stable at the Fairgrounds all year, and some stable at the Fairgrounds and then move to Hoosier Park during their annual meet.

In the early 1990s, before the advent of pari-mutuel racing in Indiana, the Fairgrounds held the Naptown Races.  These were matinee-type races, with those in attendance betting with play money to buy t-shirts and other gifts from the Fairgrounds.

In 1996, manager Jeff Henson changed the program to one-heat racing to allow the Grand Circuit to be raced during the Fair and The Hambletonian Society was hired to collect the stake payments for the Fair’s Grand Circuit races.  This move led to more interest in races at the Indiana State Fair, better advertising and promotion, and an easier payment process for owners.  Since these changes, the total purses paid in Grand Circuit have nearly doubled.  Hoosier Park also entered the scene as a sponsor and provides numerous racing officials at their expense, as well as door prizes and $2,500 to sponsor the Fox Stake breakfast and shirts for Fox Stake owners.

Starting in 1996 and continuing to date, the Fair provides a “free” grandstand for harness racing.  The “free” grandstand is due, in part, to Hoosier Park’s sponsorship.  It is also an attempt to provide entertainment for fairgoers and an opportunity for the promotion of harness racing.

In 1997, Ralph Wilfong headed a million dollar renovation of the barns at the Fairgrounds.  The renovation was managed by Steve Panke and funded originally by Mr. Wilfong, who was later reimbursed by the Fair.

In the late 1990s, the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit Championships began at the State Fair.  These are the championship races of the Indiana county fair circuit.  They allow the horses racing at the county fairs an opportunity to show their abilities on a mile track. The total purses for these races have grown to  over $200,000, compared to the Indiana Sires Stakes of the past that were raced for less than $10,000 for each of the four events.

The history of Harness Racing in Indiana is closely linked to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  More importantly, the Indiana State Fair is firmly committed to the future of Harness Racing.