3 Year Old Pacers
Adios & Adioo Volo
The Meadows
Washington, PA
Purse $350,000 & $104,225
all stakes, elims, finals playlist
pdf results charts
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Captain Albano, the 1-2 favorite, controlled the fractions for Todd McCarthy but needed every bit of his speed and moxie to hold off Wish You Well and David Miller in the Lightning Lane and win Saturday's $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Noel Daley trains the son of Captain Treacherous-Angelou, who now boasts a career bankroll of $752,915, for Patricia Stable, L.A. Express Stable, Sjoblom Racing and Michael Dolan.
Last year's Dan Patch Award winner for freshman males as well as Pennsylvania's champion, Captain Albano threw down a 1:21.2 three-quarters, thwarting a number of challenges and abortive moves along the way. But when the dust settled as the field turned for home, the outcome came down to the two elimination winners--Captain Albano trying to hold firm, Wish You Well pouring through a suddenly available Lightning Lane. Captain Albano prevailed by a neck in 1:49.2, matching his career best.Timeisonmyside, who reached the final as a 47-1 long shot in his elim, ducked from the gate but nicely weaved his way through traffic to earn show. Noblesville was fourth.
McCarthy indicated he didn't think his horse was in danger of coming up short.
"I'll be honest with you," he said. "He was a little tired, it was a real big mile. But when I heard David coming late, I asked him to go on, and he went that little bit more.'
For his part, Miller said the result might have been different had he found the Lightning Lane sooner.
"I would like to have sat in the two hole, but I'm happy to be second ," Miller said. "He raced great. He raced great both weeks here."
It was the first Adios title for both McCarthy and Daley.
ADIOS NOTES: The Ron Burke stable, which has entered as many as 29 horses on Adios Days past, settled for 17 Saturday. "We're slacking off," joked the stable's Kein Weimer. But the quality was there, as Burke collected a three-bagger. . .When he came up a neck short, Miller missed a chance to move into sole possession of second place on the Adios championships list. He's currently in a six-way tie for second with three titles. All-time leader John Campbell has eight, a mark that may never be matched.
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Captain Albano did what was expected while Wish You Well pulled off the completely unexpected Saturday (July 20) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, as each won an elimination of the $400,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids.
Wish You Well did the unexpected on Saturday with a victory in an elimination of the Delvin Miller Adios. Chris Gooden Photo.
They’ll be joined in the $350,000 Adios final on July 27 by Huntingforchrome, Sweet Beach Life, Clever Cody, Timeisonmyside, Noblesville and Nuclear as well as Outer Banks, who reached the final as the fifth-place finisher with higher career earnings. It was a successful Adios start for trainers Travis Alexander and Ron Burke; each had three starters and saw two of those starters make it through.
Connections of Captain Albano and Wish You Well will select their post positions, with a shake determining their choosing order. All other post positions will be determined by a random draw Wednesday.
Last year’s Dan Patch Award-winning freshman male pacer, Captain Albano (Todd McCarthy) was sent off the 1-5 favorite and looked very much the part. He quarter-poled to the top for McCarthy and widened his advantage from there, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:49.2. Timeisonmyside (Anthony MacDonald) and Noblesville (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) completed the ticket.
“I figured if I could get away and stay out of trouble, he’d be all right,” McCarthy said. “You have to be careful with them. He’s gotta come back next week, so you don’t want to spend too much fuel. We’ll draw close to the inside for the final; that definitely will be an advantage.”
The son of Captaintreacherous-Angelou boosted his lifetime bankroll to $577,915 for trainer Noel Daley and owners Patricia Stable, L A Express Stable, Sjoblom Racing and Michael Dolan.
It appeared that the ending would be vastly different for Wish You Well (David Miller). The Bettor’s Wish-Where’s Alice gelding, dismissed at 25-1, trailed by six lengths at the top of the lane, with no immediate racing room. But when Miller angled him off the cones, he exploded past the leader, Huntingforchrome (James MacDonald), and defeated him by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:49.1, with Sweet Beach Life third (Matt Kakaley).
“He had a big kick to him there, didn’t he?” Miller said. “I was just trying to get him into the final. And, jeez, when I got him out and got his plugs out, he kicked into a gear I wasn’t expecting. That was pretty cool.”
On Adios Day, the final of the Pace for the Orchids anchors a blockbuster program that features six Grand Circuit stakes. In addition, the card will offer a total of $200,000 in pool guarantees spread over 11 wagers, thought to be the “Richest Day in PA’ for bettors.
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As the field turned for home in Saturday’s (July 29) $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, two questions remained before the house: Could Cannibal find the Lightning Lane in enough time to speed by the trio vying for the lead? Would he have enough pop to overtake them?
The answers were he could and he did, as Cannibal poured through the Lightning Lane to capture a head victory in 1:49 in the 57th edition of the Adios.
It’s My Show, the favorite who set a world record 1:47.4 in his elimination last week, quarter-poled to the top for Scott Zeron but was forced to a swift :53.3 front half. That was the signal for Redwood Hanover to move first-over from fifth while Seven Colors picked up live cover. As they thundered down the stretch, all four had victory within reach. But Cannibal and Yannick Gingras took advantage of the best trip, downing Redwood Hanover by a head, with Seven Colors a close-up third. It’s My Show had to settle for fourth.
Gingras said he wasn’t confident he had enough racetrack left to get the job done.
“I liked the spot I got in early in the race, and I could see It’s My Show getting a little tired,” he said. “But when I saw Palone’s horse (Seven Colors), I was a little worried that I wouldn’t get there in time. It’s actually exactly how I saw the race unfold. About once every hundred races, it does unfold the way you see it.”
It was the second Adios title for Gingras, who triumphed in 2013 with Sunfire Blue Chip for trainer Jimmy Takter, a Hall of Famer and the father of Saturday’s winning conditioner, Nancy Takter.
Cannibal, a son of Sweet Lou-No More Losses, has won six of seven starts this year, tasting defeat only in the Meadowlands Pace final. He now has banked $365,978 for owner-breeder Diamond Creek Racing.
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It's My Show put on a show once more, blazing to a world record 1:47.4 Saturday in an elimination of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Madows. Cannibal captured the other elimination. Those two will be joined in Saturday's $350,000 final by the rest of the top four finishers in each elim as well as the fifth-place finisher with higher career earnings. Thus, in addition to It's My Show and Cannibal, the Adios final field will include Redwood Hanover, Seven Colors, Fulton, Ken Hanover,Ervin Hanovr,Flite Craft and Bamboozler (who was the qualifying fifth-place finisher. Linda Toscano will be the only trainer with two finalists, sending out It's My Show and Fulton.
The draw for Adios final post positions will take place Wednesday, with the connections of It's My Show and Cannibal choosing their post positions after a random draw to determine their selection order. All other post positions will be determined by random draw. The July 29 Adios Day card shapes up as a blockbuster, featuring five Grand Circuit stakes in addition to the Adios. First post that day is 11:45 AM.
Ervin Hanover cut the fractions in his elimination, throwing down a swift 1:20.1 three-quarters while It's My Show followed patiently in third. But when Scott Zeron tipped him off the cones, the Sweet Lou-Put On A Show gelding left Ervin Hanover in his wake and defeated the closing Ken Hanover by a length while Ervin Hanover saved show.The mile is the fastest ever by a 3-year--old gelding on a five-eighths-mile track, knockinh a tick from the record shared by Wiggle It Jiggleit and Lucan Hanover.
The Pepsi Norh America Cup winnner is now undefeated in seven outings this year--with career earnings of $536,215-- after a winless freshman season.But he hadn't raced since the June 17 North America Cup, skipping the Meadowlands Pace by design, and Toscano, who conditions the homebred for Richard Young and Joanne Young, wondered if he'd be as tight as he needed to be.
"This was a really nerve-wracking race for me because it's chancy qwhen you give one five weeks off," she said. "It was what I wanted to do, I wanted to freshen him up, I want to try to keep him fresh for the whole season. Yet at the same time, you want him to be tight, happy sound. The race was important because it's the Adios.
"I'm really happy that he didn't power move back to the lead because that would have created a really tough race for him today."
Cannibal suffered his only defeat of the year in the Meadowlands Pace final, when he struggled to make up ground from the back of the pack. Though he hadn't been better than third at the quarter in any start this year, Yannick Gingras was determined to give him his chance this week, battling hard for the lead before yielding to Seven Colors. Winning trainer Nancy Takter said getting to the point early wasn't necessarily a key goal.
"This was a different race from last week," she said. "The flow just didn't develop in the Meadowlands Pace the way I would have liked. But he raced super; he just wasn't in a good spot. He can race on the pace, he can race off the pace. It's the first time he's ever been here, and he got around the track good. So I think we'll keep things the same for next week."
Cannibal kicked clear in the lane and defeated Redwood Hanover by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:48.2, with Seven Colors third. Diamond Creek Racing owns the homered son of Sweet Lou-No More Losses, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $194,978.
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On paper, North America Cup winner Pebble Beach Glass and Meadowlands Pace champion Beach Glass looked many lengths better than the rest of the field in Saturday's $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. But Bythemissal reminded us forcefully that an elite test for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers is not contested on paper.
The Downbytheseaside-Dismissal gelding moved powerfully first over to defeat Beach Glass by 1-1/4 lengths and spring the 8-1 upset for Chris Page, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was the second straight Adios triumph for Good, who also owned last year's winner, Hellabalou.
Bythemissal had lost only once in his six-race career, but it was that 5-3/4-length pasting by Pebble Beach in last week's Adios eliminations that sent bettors looking elsewhere..Page indicated that race served as a sort of an introduction to top-level competition for Bythemissal.
"Last week was the prep race," said Page, in only his second Adios. "I was really confident in how he came out of the race and how he finished. Ronnie said he had a great week this week, so I just needed to make sure I kept him out of trouble. I got him in play a little bit but away from the 53.4 half."
River Ness, the winner's stablemate, was determined to make for a demanding quarter but broke stride before he could fully accomplish his goal. Nevertheless, Beach Glass was forced to a blistering 25.4 panel. Yet his half time of 53.4 was only a tick faster than last week's 54 in the slop, so it would be unfair to suggest that Bythemissal's win was fractions-aided. Rather, Burke said he saw signs of today's outcome in last week's strong finish.
"We wanted to race him a little more aggressively, but it didn't work out," Burke said. "But you don't make the move he made last week to finish second and not be good. You can't be three deep and make up ground against real good horses. Chris had him double wrapped up at the wire. Chris is never confident, and he was supremely confident with this horse.
"At the half today, I thought, if Chris can get wheeled up by the three-quarters, it'll be on. My horse has the will to win. You get him close, he's gonna get ya."
It's the second blanket of orchids for Burke, whose massive stable is based at The Meadows, as he also prevailed with Dorsoduro Hanover--still active and a double millionaire. He also was assistant trainer for his father Mickey when the elder Burke won the Adios with May June Character--the final win of that horse's career. Each win, Burke said, has felt differently.
"The one with my dad is still special," he said. "That was the one that knocked the door down for us. It's a hard race to win. But in the others, we were favorites. People we're calling this a two-horse race."
Burke said Bythemissal probably would aim for the Carl Milstein at MGM Northfield and likely will be supplemented to the Little Brown Jug.
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Three storms struck southwestern Pennsylvania during Saturday's eliminations card for the $400,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. The first was an act of nature that blew up rain, swirling winds, thunder and lightning that forced a delay of about 15 minutes in the card.
The others were named Beach Glass and Pebble Beach, who each stormed to a 5-3/4-length victory in the eliminations. Those results set up a battle between the leaders of the sport's glamor division in the $350,000 Adios final, which takes place Saturday, July 30 and anchors a blockbuster card that features six Grand Circuit stakes. First post is 11:45 AM.
Joining Beach Glass and Pebble Beach in the final will be Fourever Boy, Nautical Hanover, Ario Hanover, Bythemissal, Quick Snap, Atlas Hanover and River Ness, who notched his berth by being the fifth-place finisher with the higher career earnings. The connections of Beach Glass and Pebble Beach will choose their post positions, with their order of selection determined by draw. All other post positions will be determined by random draw Wednesday.
The track had turned sloppy by the time Beach Glass faced the starter, and winning driver Yannick Gingras approached the first quarter cautiously.
"I was just letting them all settle," Gingras said. "I wanted him on the front obviously, but I just wanted to stay out of trouble."
Once on the point, the Meadowlands Pace winner widened steadily, scoring in 1:49 with a 27 final panel.
"He's better every week," Gingras said. "He was amazing in the Meadowlands Pace, and he was amazing today. We get to pick our post position? Awesome. You just made my day."
Brent MacGrath, who trains the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Im With Her for Schooner II Stable, said he saw everything he needed to see from his colt and likely won't be making any changes.
"He's just learning how to do it, and he's coming into his own," MacGrath said. "We just need to keep him healthy, keep him out of trouble and give him to Yannick." Beach Glass pushed his career earnings over $562,000.
Pebble Beach had only a qualifier since his triumph in the June 18 North America Cup, but he showed no signs of being short. Todd McCarthy gave him a comfortable 56.3 half, and the son of Downbytheseaside-Santa Rosa prevailed in 1:50.1. The previously undefeated Bythemissal, who was facing elite competition for the first time, closed well for second, while Quick Snap earned show.
Noel Daley, who trains Pebble Beach for Laexpressfoderadeovolente, said he tried a rigging experiment with Pebble Beach in the elimination, an experiment Daley considers a failure.
"He runs in but doesn't like to wear a head pole," Daley said. "So we tried a Murphy blind today. We tried it in Canada; he ran off the track, but we thought he needed it on a tighter track. We'll take that back off. He won't wear anything, and we'll have to steer him. Everything else looked good."
Pebble Beach now has banked $815,650.
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Hellabalou used a pocket trip to pull off an 81-1 upset in a Meadowlands Pace elimination. He worked out a two-hole-journey-with Lightning-Lane-brush to take his Adios elimination. He couldn't possibly fashion another garden trip in the Adios final, could he?
He could and he did, pouring through the Lightning Lane once more to capture the $375,000 final of the 55th edition of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Saturday at The Meadows' It was the first Adios title for both Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick and winning trainer Eddie Dennis. The son of Sweet Lou-Magestic Blue Chip now has banked $327,136 for owner Eric Good.
Rockyroad Hanover split horses for second, 1-1/4 lengths back, with Water Sports Teen, who did most of the heavy lifting, third. Winning time was 1:48.4.Hellabalou zipped to the front from post 5 in a snappy 26 but yielded to the pocket when Water Sports Teen and Joe Bongiorno pressed him for the lead. Water Sports Teen was able to resist the first-over challenge of elimination winner Abuckabett Hanover, but the effort left him vulnerable to the inside thrust of Hellabalou. Tetrick said he thought Water Sports Teen would get him to the Lightning Lane.
"I was pretty sure the pocket would hold up," Tetrick said. "Getting to the quarter in 26 wasn't too bad, and Joe's horse looked really strong when I let him go. I thought if he could take me there for a little bit, it would be great."Teased that he had used up his allotment of pocket trips for the rest of his career, Dennis replied:
"I hope I got a couple more coming.
"When I saw him get to the front and Joe was still wide, I thought we were in a good spot because I know he'll shoot up the inside real fast. I told Tim he's as sure-footed as anything you'll ever sit behind. Don't ever worry about him putting in a step.
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Water Sports Teen, Hellabalou and Abuckabett Hanover each captured an elimination of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Saturday at The Meadows and will advance to the $375,000 final on July 31. They'll be joined by six other qualifiers--Natameri, Southwind Gendry, Mysweetboymax, Chase H Hanover, Rockyroad Hanover, Lou's Pearlman--who finished in the top three in their eliminations.
Always A Miki is the also eligible by virtue of his highest career earnings among the fourth-place finishers. Trainers Tony Alagna (Abuckabett Hanover, Rockyroad Hanover) and Ron Burke (Southwind Gendry, Lou's Pearlman) each will be represented by a pair of finalists. The connections of the eliminations winners have earned the right to choose their post positions, with a random draw to determine their selection order. First post Adios Day is noon.
Joshua Graber's Water Sports Teen threw down a swift 1:21.2 three-quarters--and just kept going, coming home in 27 to score in a career-best 1:48.2. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Posey Tina now has three starts in the stable of trainer Jennifer Bongiorno; not only has he won all three, but he's been ahead at every pole."The horse seems a little more manageable, a little more relaxed now," said winning driver Joe Bongiorno. "He's fitting in our program really well. He was on cruise control today; he finished with the ear plugs in. I think he had a little left."
The pocket-sitting Rockyroad Hanover was second, a length back, with Lou's Pearlman third.
Hallabalou used a pocket trip to spring an 81-1 shocker in a Meadowlands Pace elimination, and he took the same route to victory Saturday. But Eddie Dennis, who conditions the son of Sweet Lou-Magestic Blue Chip for Eric Good, said the colt is more than a one-trip pony.
"He has good gate speed, and that helps a lot to put you in good position with these kinds of horses," Dennis said. 'i was a little worried today because the other times he raced here, it seemed like he wasn't as sharp. But we got here last night, and he got to rest and was feeling good. I was pretty confident of a good showing."
Hellabalou triumphed in 1:49.1, a lifetime mark, for Andrew McCarthy. Mysweertboymax shot the Lightning Lane for second, beaten 2 lengths, with Chase H Hanover third.
While Southwind Gendry was trying to fend off the determined challenge of 70-1 outsider Natameri, Abuckabett Hanoverand McCarthy pounced on the leaders with a Lightning Lane charge that carried them to victory in 1:50.3. Natameri did wrest second away from Southwind Gendry, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
The son of Betting Line-All Tucked Up began the season with four straight victories, including a win in a Messenger elimination, but thanks to some poor draws, he was off the board in his next three.
"He's had nothing but bad draws, bad luck. Even today, he drew seven in a seven-horse field," Alagna said. "Andy said he never popped his plugs today. He's a quality horse. What he was doing early in the year he'll do late in the year, too."Abuckabett Hanover now has banked $277,021 for Crawford Farms Racing, Alagna Racing, Jablonsky Held Stable and Barbara N Wieneck Stable.
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Catch The Fire hung tough against a host of pursuers Saturday to capture the $375,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows and provide an indelible career highlight for trainer John Ackley and driver Mike Wilder.
Chief Mate rallied for second at 50-1 while the hard-used No Lou Zing earned show. The winning time over a sloppy surface was 1:49.3.
This 54th edition of the Pace for the Orchids likely was the most unusual thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Usually jam-packed stands seated only a handful of invitees. The apron, usually rocking with fans and live bands, was eerily silent. The presumptive heavy favorite, Papi Rob Hanover, was out of the final with a season-ending injury. As usual, though the horses provided more than enough drama to make up for any missing elements.
After Elver Hanover seized the early lead from post 9, Wilder and Catch The Fire quarter-poled to the point, where they faced a backside challenge from No Lou Zing.
"I was really worried about that horse," Wilder said. "He went a humongous trip in the elimination. He showed he can take a lot of air. I couldn't shake him, and then a whole heard of them came at me. But my horse dug in. He's true grit."
Five horses remained live in deep stretch, but none could reach Catch The Fire, the 9-5 wagering favorite off his elimination win last week. Last year's Kentucky Sires Stake champion, Catch The Fire soared over $400,000 in career earnings.
Charlie Taylor of CT Stables purchased Catch The Fire at Lexington for the bargain-basement price of $15,000. Ackley was so sure that Catch The Fire would go too dearly that he left the auction ring for a sandwich, only to return and find himself the trainer of a son of Captain Treacherous-Dream Outloud. Ackley, who trains a small stable at Ohio's Fayette County Fairgrounds and operated a forklift for 20 years before switching to racing, called the Adios victory the highlight of his career.
"Its a big win, to have a horse that can compete at this level and win," Ackley said. "No way I could have imagined this; it's fantastic."
For Wilder, the triumph was even more emotional. An Ohio native who has been a fixture at The Meadows for many years, Wilder and his family are exceptionally active in many aspects of racing and the community. His wife, Heather, is a popular interviewer on harness shows while serving as president of the United States Harness Writers Association Keystone Chapter. Their teenage daughters, Scarlett and Lauren, also are active in USHWA. Yet even though Wilder has amassed more than 8,300 career wins, he had never finished better than fourth in an Adios final. He choked up as he tried to describe his emotions.
"This means the world to me," Wilder said. "The Good Lord is in control of everything in this world, and I was the lucky man today. It means everything for my kids to see it and for my wife to be here. It's something I'll never forget. It's something that may never happen again, although you wish it would.
"I didn't even think about the empty stands. My family's here. My mother's here from Florida. It means the world to me."
Ackley said Catch The Fire will enjoy a week off while his connections determine his next engagement.
ADIOS NOTES: Trainer Ron Burke had his usual busy Adios Day, starting 26 horses on the 16-race card. They produced five victories for him . . . When Jeff Zidek called Saturday's Adios, he became only the fourth announcer to call the event over its 54 years. The others: Ken Kadar (1967-1973), Charlie Hinkle (1974-1975), Roger Huston (1976-2019).
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Papi Rob Hanover blazed his way to the $375,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids in a world record 1:47.1, a world record for a 3-year-old colt on a five-eighths mile track. Also winning eliminations Saturday (July 25) at The Meadows were The Greek Freak and Catch The Fire.
Joining the three winners in the Aug. 1 final are Later Dudes, Chief Mate, No Lou Zing, Sweet Truth, Capt Midnight and Elver Hanover. Connections of the elimination winners will choose their post positions Tuesday (July 28), with their order of selection determined by random draw. All other post positions will be randomly drawn.
The Adios Day card is a blockbuster, featuring two Grand Circuit stakes in addition to the Adios as well as Pennsylvania Sires Stakes and PA Stallion Series action.
The Meadowlands Pace runner-up, Papi Rob Hanover was comfortably in front after quarter-poling to the point for David Miller following Captain Barbossa’s unrealistic 25.3 opening panel. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Panera Hanover reached three-quarters in 1:20.3, but he wasn’t done yet, clicking off the final panel in 26.3. Sweet Truth was second-placed third,10-1/2 lengths back, while No Lou Zing was elevated to second.
Brett Pelling, who trains Papi Rob Hanover for David McDuffee, said he wasn’t concerned that the swift mile might leave him short next week.
“He came out of the Meadowlands Pace great, and he proved he needs to race. He just needs more racing,” Pelling said. “Every race has been better than the one before, so he’s on the right track.
“Could he bounce off that? He’s a big, strong horse. Nothing’s ever knocked him around yet, so he’ll be fine.”
The time knocked a tick from Betting Line‘s previous world record at Pocono on Aug. 20, 2016. In addition, the mile is the fastest ever paced at The Meadows, lowering Bolt The Duer‘s former standard of 1:47.4.
Catch The Fire endured a demanding opening panel–26.2 while wide–and held on gamely to score in a career best 1:49.3 for Mike Wilder, trainer John Ackley and owner CT Stables. Capt Midnight was a head back in second, with Elver Hanover third.
“He could have been fourth or fifth in the Meadowlands Pace final, but we got hung up at the top of the lane,” Wilder said. “When you’re going miles in 1:47, you can’t get stopped. Today I wanted to make my own luck. He showed up like he always does.”
After a brief skirmish for the lead, The Greek Freak controlled the mile and earned his berth in the final with a 1:49.4 win, fastest of his career and his fourth straight victory. His job was made a touch easier by the break of the pocket-sitting Sandbetweenmytoes as the field straightened for home. Later Dudes was second, beaten by a half-length, while Chief Mate completed the ticket.
“He’s getting better every start,” said winning driver Matt Kakaley.”He was really, really good again today. We got an easy second quarter. That’s what we wanted to do, save some for next week. I’m really happy with him and looking forward to next week.”
Ron Burke conditions the Captaintreacherous-Thirty X gelding for Burke Racing Stable, Piatt Racing, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC
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Five weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for hernia repair, Southwind Ozzi blazed to victory for Brian Sears in 1:48 in Saturday's $400,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows. It was the second-fastest mile in the 53-year history of the Adios, missing Bolt The Duer's 1:47.4 record (2012) by a tick.
It was the third Adios title for Sears, who triumphed previously with Pine Valley (2001) and Delmarvalous (2010). Bill MacKenzie, who trains the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Solara for Vincent Ali, Jr. and Alma Iafelice, became an Adios victor in his first appearance in the stake.
Southwind Ozzi came through his surgery well, though surgeons had to remove a testicle during the procedure. Thus, Southwind Ozzi goes into history as the first ridgling to win the Pace for the Orchids.
'Ozzi' and Sears got away fourth, watching as Prince Of Tides and Dave Palone threw down sizzling fractions of 25.3/53.3. When he saw that, Sears said, he was comfortable sending 'Ozzi" first over.
"I liked the way things were setting up," he said. "They were going so fast that they couldn't really shut it down that much.I had sent him first up before, and he didn't seem to mind it. He's a pleasure to drive. He makes my job easy."
'Ozzi' overwhelmed Prince Of Tides and drew off to score by 7 lengths while Prince Of Tides gamely held off Stag Party for place. Informed that he had narrowly missed the Adios record, Sears replied:
"I'm not one who goes after records. I like to win."
MacKenzie indicated he was not surprised that 'Ozzi' rebounded so well from surgery or that he tossed off a near-record performance.
"That's what great horses to, and after the way he raced today, I'm beginning to think he's a great horse," he said. "He's never raced badly for us. I told Brian that if he had to come first over, I didn't think it would matter."
He said 'Ozzi' won't race next week, although he'll still work on MacKenzie's Cranbury, NJ training track.
"After that," he said, "we'll consider the options."
ADIOS NOTES. Ron Burke, who Friday became the first trainer with 10,000 victories, padded that total with four wins on the 16-race card, a number matched by Tim Tetrick . . . In a $30,000 3-Year-Old Open that pitted seven Adios contestants who didn't make the final, Highlandbeachlover sprang a 16-1 upset for Aaron Merriman and trainer Kelly O'Donnell.
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Southwind Ozzi, Prince Of Tides and Captain Victorious each won an elimination of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Saturday (July 20) at The Meadows and will advance to the July 27 $400,000 Adios final. They’ll be joined by six others who qualified for the final: Branquinho, Wild Wild Western, Reigning Deo, Quatrain Blue Chip, Escapetothebeach and Stag Party.
The elimination winners will choose their post positions, with their order of selection determined by lot. The other post positions will be determined by random draw set for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Adios Day card begins at 11:25 a.m., with the Adios set for race 15 on the 16-race program, a blockbuster card that includes five other Grand Circuit stakes as well as the $50,000 Foiled Again Invitational Pace.
Southwind Ozzi had the fastest and toughest mile, as he found a seat fifth from post 9 and had to move first over for Brian Sears. He wore down the leader, Stag Party, and triumphed in 1:49.3. Early leader Escapetothebeach was second while Stag Party saved the show.
“I was tickled to death when he dropped in because I knew he would get a good trip from there,” said Bruce Baker, second trainer for winning conditioner William MacKenzie. “First over doesn’t bother him; he likes it. He’s an amazing horse. He’s got speed, he can leave, he can come home.”
The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Solara pushed his career earnings to $126,249 for owners Vincent Ali, Jr. and Alma Iafelice.
Prince Of Tides had a less stressful journey, as he retook near the quarter for Dave Palone and opened a daylight lead that triggered a mad scramble for the remaining two qualifying positions. Those went to Reigning Deo in second and Quatrain Blue Chip in third. The winning time was 1:49.4.
“He’s a versatile horse, but I’d rather be against the cones in the last turn,” Palone said. “He’s a big horse. I had to go to a bigger bike on him to make sure he didn’t hit it. But he’s beautiful to drive.”
Ross Croghan trains Prince of Tides, a Somebeachsomewhere-Tug River Prince gelding who won his fifth straight race and lifted his career bankroll to $115,170, for owners Let It Ride Stables, Dana Parham and Howard Taylor.
Captain Victorious was in firm control after his quarter-pole move to the point, although winning driver Yannick Gingras indicated he kept after the son of Captaintreacherous-Belclare.
“I had to keep him to his task in the stretch,” Gingras said. “He definitely is a lazy horse, and he goes what you ask him to go. If you really get after him, he’ll take off in another gear, but we didn’t need to do that.”
Ron Burke trans Captain Victorious, who now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $252,771, for The Captain V Stable. This elimination’s morning-line favorite, Workin Ona Mystery, was scratched sick.
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My Girl EJ moved powerfully first over from fifth, and she kept right on moving until she scored in 1;48.4 — fastest distaff mile ever at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows — in Saturday’s $104,225 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for sophomore filly pacers.
The time knocked a tick from the track’s all-age distaff pacing record as well as the stake mark established by Allstar Rating in 2014.
When the daughter of Sweet Lou-Lucy’s Pearl set sail after the leader, Geocentric, it was last year’s Breeders Crown winner challenging last year’s Dan Patch Award winner. My Girl EJ cleared easily and went on to defeat CanIgetalouploup by 2-3/4 lengths, with Asweetbeachhere third.
“She’s pretty quick, and she’s pretty tough, too,” said winning driver Dexter Dunn. “Once the fractions set up for her, I didn’t know I would win like that, but I knew I’d be in the fight.”
My Girl EJ now has finished in the money in all but one of her 20 career outings. Ron Burke trains her and owns with Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Elizabeth Novak.