Fresh Face Yankee proving she is more than a fair horse
by James Platz
Last season, Fresh Face Yankee took Tim Smith on an incredible ride as owner/trainer/driver. The then-freshman captured nine races, including a Governor’s Cup championship on the Indiana fair circuit. This season, the trotter will step up to the state’s premier program, competing on Memorial Day (May 25) in Indiana Sires Stakes action for the first time after going a perfect three-for-three in series action to start the year.
“It’s been unreal, so whatever happens from here on out, it’s in God’s hands,” Smith said of the experience thus far. “I’m not worried about it. She’s done unbelievable, just unbelievable.”
The conditioner suited up as a driver for the first time last season, steering Fresh Face Yankee at several Indiana fairs. With the Spencerville resident at the controls, the Crescent Fashion—Swan Yankee lass hit the board in 10 of 11 starts, registering six victories. She finished her freshman campaign with six wins in her last seven attempts, including two scores with veteran catch driver Jay Cross in the sulky. After her last start in September, Fresh Face Yankee was turned out before Cross and his wife, Pam, took her to Florida for the winter.
“I could have kept her, but my track being up here, I knew I couldn’t get her ready like she should have been,” Smith said. “Jay’s got a lot more experience. He and Pam are excellent horsepeople. I knew that they could get more out of her and get her to her full potential.”
That reasoning came from prior experience with the pacer Clever Character. At 2, he won six of nine starts during the 2019 campaign. Training over the half-mile farm track, the gelding did not advance and match that success as a 3-year-old.
“That’s another reason I went this route; I haven’t had a lot of luck with the 3-year-olds, you know, bringing them back,” Smith said of his experience with Clever Character. “I don’t have the facility to do it, and I had a tough time bringing him back. And not that he was bad, he just could have been better.”
Under the tutelage of Jay and Pam Cross, Fresh Face Yankee prepared for the 2026 season in Bell, FL. Qualifying twice at Gilcrest Training Center before shipping north, the trotter arrived at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino ready to make her sophomore debut. She is now three-for-three heading into Monday’s sires stakes test.
“I have really been happy with the way Jay has raced her,” Smith said. “He’s won, but yet he hasn’t killed her doing it. He’s brought her slowly back. As you can see, every time she’s dropped.”
In the $12,000 first leg of the Msnaughtybynature series, held April 29, Fresh Face Yankee and Cross sat in the pocket at the second choice behind favored Omg Am I Ok. In the stretch, the sophomore kicked home in :27.3 to win by two lengths, stopping the clock in 1:57.1. The next time out, the filly raced off the pace and again sprinted home in :27.3, this time circling the oval in 1:55.1. Most recently, Fresh Face Yankee captured the $25,000 series final going gate-to-wire, clear at the finish by two lengths in a time of 1:54.4.
“I give Jay and Pam all the credit,” the owner said. “They’ve done an excellent job.”
Fresh Face Yankee now sports a record of 12 wins in her first 18 starts, with career earnings of $65,710. This season she has already collected $24,500. Not too shabby for a $5,000 yearling purchase.
“I told Jay as long as he wants her, he can have her,” Smith said. “I’m happy with the way everything is going. It’s working out well. I was happy that Jay said he’d take her and that they got along with her well down there. She’s just come back good. She just impresses me every start.”
Fresh Face Yankee has drawn into the second of two $48,500 Indiana Sires Stakes divisions on the Memorial Day Card. Cross will guide the trotter from the outside post in the field of six. The group also includes Bluebird Kazoom (post 2), now five-for-five to start the season, Help Cum Laude (post 4), runner-up in last year’s $250,000 Super Final, and Expressive Gal (post 3), most recently third in the Msnaughtybynature series final. For Dayze, last season’s divisional champion, has drawn into the first division. Smith is optimistic that his filly has what it takes to compete with the group.
“After her last start, I think she’s got a shot at it,” he said. “So far, he hasn’t really had to use her much to get there. So, it’s going to be exciting. We’ll see what happens. If she can compete with them, that would be great.”
Last year Fresh Face Yankee delivered a fair championship. Now racing fans will see how she stacks up against the best trotting fillies in the state. No matter the outcome, Smith will enjoy the experience.
“I know what reality is,” he said. “She’s done way more than anybody ever thought she would. I bought a fair horse, but I got way more than that.”
