Meadows: Lonewolf Currier, Sunfire Blue Chip take Adios eliminations

Following a disappointing string of stakes appearances in the Max Hempt and Meadowlands Pace, Lonewolf Currier finally came to play in his elimination for the $500,000 Delvin Miller Adios final. The Kevin McDermott trainee posted an impressive 1:48 4/5 winning mile.

Beach Memories gunned off the gate and secured the front early over Ultimate Beachboy in the pocket. Meanwhile, Lonewolf Currier, who left and tucked fourth, was quickly on the move past the 26 2/5 opening quarter. He rushed to the front for driver John Campbell and easily secured the top and posted a 54 1/5 half-mile time.

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The action picked up down the backstretch, with Sunshine Beach pushing Lonewolf Currier to a 1:20 3/5 three quarter time before making a break on the final turn. That left Lonewolf Currier well clear. He was drifting out a bit but was able to hold off a late charge up the passing lane from Ultimate Beachboy, who was making his first start for new trainer Ron Burke.

“I wanted to be close to the front and give him a good shot to qualify (for the final),” said Campebll on his tactics. “He was getting tired down by the wire but he hung on.”

Vegas Vacation tried to grind slowly into contention and was a well beaten third while making the final along with fourth-place finisher Beach Memories.

Lonewolf Currier is owned by Francis Azur. He has 5 wins in 11 starts this year.

Sunfire Blue Chip showed guts and determination in winning the first Adios elimination.

Nearly half the field had their sights on the front in the opening elimination. Some Kinda Beach would secure the lead briefly over Evenin Of Pleasure before Sunfire Blue Chip made his way to the top past the opening quarter of 26 3/5.

Sunfire Blue Chip would remain the boss with fractions of 55 seconds and 1:22 2/5. He faced only token pressure from a first-over Martini Hanover as Word Power tracked the cover. At the head of the stretch, Sunfire Blue Chip tried to kick away from the field and Word Power tipped wide to begin his rally.

By a nose, Sunfire Blue Chip held on to notch a 1:50 3/5 win.

Some Kinda Beach and Evenin Of Pleasure also advanced to the July 27 final.

“If we can get around the turns better next week, he is an awfully nice colt,” said winning driver Dave Palone, who admitted to using the infield video board to see where his competition was as he made his move to the front.

Sunfire Blue Chip scored his fourth win in eight starts this year for owners Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Brixton Medical Ab and R A W Equine. He is trained by Jimmy Takter.