Jul 23, 2025 3 min read

By John Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

A week ago, Prince Hal Hanover and Rick Wink came up short.

Saturday afternoon, they get another shot at favorite Twisted Destiny in the $385,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows.

As good as Twisted Destiny (Dexter Dunn-Chris Ryder) and Swingtown (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.-Ron Burke) were in winning the first and second Adios eliminations, respectively, they’ll have to rebuff the challenges Prince Hal Hanover and Rick Wink could provide.

The connections of the two elimination winners Wednesday picked their post positions for the final. Swingtown will leave from post No. 4 while Twisted Destiny will leave from post No. 3.

The remainder of the field includes: PP1 Papi’s Rocket (Mike Wilder-Burke); PP2 Rick Wink (Chris Page-Burke); PP5 Makes Sense (Andrew McCarthy-Robert Cleary); PP6 Railroad Station (Tim Tetrick-Burke); PP7 Wedlock Blue Chip (David Miller-Roland Mallar); PP8 Prince Hal Hanover (Todd McCarthy-Ian Moore) and PP9 Sippinonsearoc (Yannick Gingras-Burke).

Twisted Destiny is the morning line favorite at 2-1. Following in succession is Prince Hal Hanover at 3-1, Swingtown at 4-1, Rick Wink at 6-1, Railroad Station at 10-1, Wedlock Blue Chip and Sippinonsearoc 12-1 and Papi’s Rocket and Makes Sense at 20-1.

Twisted Destiny’s biggest win this season is the Messenger Stakes late last month. His win in 1:48.0 was easily the best of last week’s eliminations.

Dunn is seeking his first Adios Pace winning drive.

“I don’t have any idea how he’s going to drive him,” Ryder said. “What would be the perfect scenario? I don’t know. I’m certain Dexter will work it all out. Our horse has heart.”

Prince Hal Hanover has finished second in four of his last five races, including being placed second because of interference after crossing the finish line first in the Meadowlands Pace.

He has won two of eight races this season and four of 18 in his career and finished in the money 14 of 18 times in the past two seasons.

Rick Wink, who is adding Lasix, could be a factor after taking a step up in competition last week.

He has won four-of-five this season, finishing behind Twisted Destiny and Prince Hal Hanover in last week’s elimination.

“I had hoped he would draw well because I think he could be the one (from the Burke stable) that really improves this week compared with last week,” Burke said.

“He needed to stretch out against those horses last week. I could see him being the most improved of our horses.”

Adioo Volo

Local horses and connections in the two divisions of the Grade 3 Adioo Volo 3-year-old filly pace (races 12 and 14) are: Anna Loves Bananas (Aaron Merriman-Scott Betts), Shes A Streaker (Yannick Gingras-Burke) and Fancy Like Louuuuu (Merriman-Sarah Andrews) in race 12 and Strange Summer (Dave Palone-Brian Brown), Always Ana Hanover (Wrenn Jr.-Burke) and Time Of The Season (Dunn-Tim Twaddle) in race 14.