WASHINGTON, PA, July 16, 2013—Vegas Vacation, fresh from a three-week vacation following a pair of narrow losses to Captain Treacherous, leads a field of 18 colts and geldings into the $600,000 (est.) Delvin Miller Adios at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Two $50,000 eliminations are set for Saturday, July 20, with the top four finishers from each elim returning for the final of the “Pace for the Orchids” on Saturday, July 27.
First post July 20 is 6:55 PM, with the elims set for Races 6 and 7. The Adios Day card gets underway at 12:20 PM and will include a $50,000 Adios Consolation.
Vegas Vacation was a neck loser to Captain Treacherous in both an elimination and the final of the Hempt on June 29, a frustrating day that prompted trainer Casie Coleman to give the Bettor’s Delight-Don’t You Smile gelding some down time.
“He wasn’t eligible for the Meadowlands Pace, so I gave him a little time at the farm,” Coleman said. “I trained him up over the weekend, and he worked very well.”
Vegas Vacation drew the rail in Race 7. Coleman indicated she won’t miss the opportunity to encounter Captain Treacherous, undefeated this year and harness racing’s top-rated horse, who didn’t enter the Adios.
“Not having to face him doesn’t hurt my feelings a bit,” she said.
Trainers Ron Burke (Dedi’s Dragon, Ultimate Beachboy) and Jimmy Takter (Source Of Pride, Sunfire Blue Chip) each are represented by a pair of Adios entrants.
Each Adios card is rich with supporting stakes and attractive wagering options offered in cooperation with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. On July 20, The Meadows will offer a Pick 4 (races 4-7) with a guaranteed $7,500 pool. In addition, the track on July 20 will conduct a “Pick & Pray” handicapping contest, with a free berth in the 2014 World Harness Handicapping Contest awarded the winner.
On July 27, special wagering options include a $7,500-guaranteed Pick 4 (Races 4-7); a $15,000-guaranteed Late Pick 4 (Races 9-12), and a $25,000-guaranteed Superfecta on Race 12, the Adios final.
The fields for the Adios eliminations, in post-position order and with tentative driver assignments:
Race 6
Dew N Doughnuts Mike Wilder
Dedi’s Dragon Matt Kakaley
Twilight Bonfire John Campbell/Brett Miller
Evenin Of Pleasure Brett Miller
Hail The Taxi John Campbell
Martini Hanover Brian Sears
Sunfire Blue Chip Dave Palone
Some Kinda Beach Andy Miller
Word Power Jim Morrill, Jr.
Race 7
Vegas Vacation Brian Sears
Resistance Futile Andrew McCarthy
Sunshine Beach George Brennan
Eddie Sweat Dave Palone
Good Day Mate Jim Morrill, Jr.
Lonewolf Currier Dave Palone
Ultimate Beachboy Dave Palone
Source Of Pride Dave Palone
Beach Memories Corey Callahan
By: Kevin Decker
