NINE TO BATTLE FOR ADIOS ORCHIDS
The harness racing season’s top race at The Meadows, the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids, will take place this Saturday, July 27. It is set as the 15th race on a 16-race card for a purse of $350,000. The morning line odds will come out Wednesday morning, but Captain Albano is expected to be the favorite for trainer Noel Daley after his 1:49.2 victory in his elimination race for driver Todd McCarthy. Nine of the 15 original entrants into the event will be returning this Saturday for the final.
CAN WISH YOU WELL REPEAT?
The other Adios elimination heat winner, Wish You Well, not only lit up the tote board at 25-1 for driver David Miller, but he also caused the timer to light up a little sooner than expected at the wire. His 25.2 final quarter, en route to a 1:49.1 win, could quite possibly be the fastest clocking in track history for a final quarter mile. Sub-26-second final quarters are not uncommon on larger tracks where the last quarter is mostly a straightaway, but that speed is not often seen on a 5/8 oval. The Nifty Norman-trainee, along with Captain Albano, will get to select their post positions prior to the open draw for the remaining 7 posts for Saturday’s big race. Who gets to pick first will be determined by a separate draw between the heat winner.
“RICHEST DAY IN PA” FOR BETTORS
$200,000 in guaranteed pools are in place for the Adios card, with several of those guarantees centered on The Delvin Miller Adios itself. The largest guaranteed pool is a $75,000 trifecta pool on the Final, which will be Race 15. The race will also feature a $25,000 guaranteed superfecta pool. The Adios Pick8, which runs from races 8-15, will have a low 15% takeout, is guaranteed to $15,000, while the Adios Pick5 and Pick4, starting in races 11 and 12, respectively, feature guaranteed pools of $12,500 and $15,000. Other wagers will be featured throughout the card, starting with a $10,000 Pick5 pool in races 3-7. The full Adios Day card will be drawn on Wednesday morning.
ADIOS SIMULCAST SHOW LINEUP SET
The Adios Day simulcast show is set to feature several guest commentators and handicappers. Dawnelle Mock, representing the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association, will be joined by Gabe Prewitt of the #SenditIn Army, at a broadcast location just outside the winners circle. They will offer insight and interviews throughout the card. Guest handicappers Mike Pribozie and Kevin Plowcha from NAHUpicks.com will be stationed in “Studio B” offering handicapping information on all races throughout the day. In The Money Media’s Edison Hatter is likely to join partway through the day to offer additional notes from the paddock. Track announcer Jeff Zidek will host the show, while his predecessor, Hall of Famer Roger Huston, will likely make a guest appearance on the mic. The 16-race broadcast will go on air at 11:00am.
by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows