The Meadows: Cannibal captures Delvin Miller Adios final

Cannibal gave owner/breeder Diamond Creek Farm and their racing operation another major win in the 3-year-old colt and gelding pace division this year as he got up the passing lane from the pocket and won the $350,000 Delvin Miller Adios final on Saturday afternoon at The Meadows in 1:49.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Cannibal hustled out to the lead from post four and then yielded to sit in the pocket behind favorite It's My Show (Scott Zeron) past the 26 2/5 opening quarter. It's My Show would go on to the half in 53 3/5, with Redwood Hanover (James MacDonald) going first-over out of fifth and providing cover to Seven Colors (Dave Palone).

It's My Show managed to keep the top spot to three-quarters in 1:21 2/5, around the final bend, and into the lane, but he was under attack on all sides through the drive as Cannibal was on his inside and Redwood Hanover and Seven Colors were charging on the outside. It's My Show gave way in mid-stretch, leaving Cannibal and Redwood Hanover to decide it, and it would be Cannibal getting the victory by a head over a game Redwood Hanover. Seven Colors was third, followed by the fading It's My Show and Ervin Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.).

A colt by Sweet Lou, Cannibal is trained by Nancy Takter. He has a record of 9-2-1 from 15 career starts, has now earned $369,978 and returned $8.60 to win as the 3-1 second choice.

"I liked the spot I got in early in the race, and I could see It's My Show getting a little tired," Gingras 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."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"We actually got to pick our post first having won the elimination, and there was quite a discussion with Yannick which post we were going to pick on Tuesday morning," said Takter. "I will say Yannick called it perfectly. He said 'pick the four, they'll pick inside of us and we'll make them work twice.' Kudos to Yannick for picking the right post. It definitely paid off.

"He was going to need a quick sprint coming down the open stretch. Yannick did a good job with him and the horse is a super nice horse. Like I've said all along, this horse is your perfect A+ student, he just shows up every time. I'm really proud of him and the team behind him. He wants to win, so I knew that he was going to give his best effort, which he did."

--Gingras quote courtesy of The Meadows--