Meadows: Adios attracts 18 colts for July 20 eliminations

Vegas Vacation, fresh from a three-week vacation following a pair of narrow losses to Captaintreacherous, 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 six and seven. 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 Captaintreacherous 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.

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“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 seven. Coleman indicated she won’t miss the opportunity to encounter Captaintreacherous, 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: