Cannibal finds Lightning Lane in time, wins Adios

July 29, 2023, by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

Washington, PA — 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.

Nancy Takter completed a rare Adios Day double as her 3-year-old filly, Always B Naughty, took the $114,770 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo, the companion feature to the Adios.

Always B Naughty was in an unenviable spot, needing to make up 5-1/2 lengths on 7-5 favorite Strong Poison — and do it first-up, to boot. But the daughter of Always B Miki-Ooh Shesa Badlands did just that, prevailing in 1:50.

Although Strong Poision had a demanding journey from post nine, even winning driver Dexter Dunn wasn’t confident Always B Naughty could accomplish the task.

“I thought it would be hard to track down Strong Poison,” Dunn said. “I was hoping one of the two horses following her would come out. But she traveled pretty well, and I asked her to go in the last turn, and she was really good.”

Always B Naughty charged passed Strong Poison with little resistance, defeating Square Deal by 1-1/4 lengths. Odds On Hail Mary completed the ticket.

Takter also co-owns Always B Naughty, who lifted her lifetime bankroll to $189,244, with Let It Ride Stables, JL Benson Stables and RBH Ventures.

Asked if she viewed her Adios victory as the continuation of a family tradition, since her dad won the event twice (2013, 2009 with Vintage Master), she replied:

“No, not really. I try not to compare myself to my dad because I’ll probably lose every time if I try to do that. It’s a classic race, and it’s a special day for harness racing.”

She said both her Adios Day winners will head to Kentucky for sire stakes action.