Jul 26, 2025 2 min read

By Joe Tuscano

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@obserer-reporter

MEADOW LANDS – Talk about your hot performances.

Prince Hal Hanover raced to the finish line, upsetting favorite Twisted Destiny by a nose in the $385,000 59th Delvin Miller Adios Grade 1 Pace for the Orchids on a hot, humid, sticky Saturday at the Meadows Race Track. Everything fell into place for Prince Hal Hanover, from the hot dry track, to an early misstep that put Twisted Destiny on the outside far too early in the race. Driver Todd McCarthy and Prince Hal Hanover just needed a closing step to win the race. He crossed in 1:48.1, tying his lifetime mark.

Prince Hal Hanover, trained by Dr. Ian Moore of Ontario Canada, paid $8.20. $4.40 and $2.40. Swingtown, a Ron Burke horse driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr., paid $7.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Twisted Destiny, with Dexter Dunn in the sulky, finished third.

“It was hot at the Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-olds a couple weeks ago and it didn’t bother him,” said McCarthy of the horse’s second-place finish after it was sent from first place to second after being disqualified for interference. “It was a tough run but he got away very quick.”

This was the second straight Adios win for McCarthy. He drove Captain Albano to a win last year at The Meadows. McCarthy was the first driver to win the Adios coming out of the No. 8 post position.

“I like it when it’s hot,” said Moore, who watched the race from his computer in Canada. “He moved to the front pretty easily. I’m very pleased.”

The last time a driver won back-to-back Adios finals was John Campbell in 2002 and 2003. Campbell has the most Adios Pace finals wins with eight: also including 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.

The race got a little less competitive when Louprint needed surgery and missed the race. He has been the best 3-year-old pacer to date and won the North American Cup.

Burke, a famous local trainer, had five horses in the race. His best finish was Swingtown, which brought in $96,250.

“Horses like hot, humid. weather,” Burke said. “We have plenty of horses to race.”

Burke horses won six of the 16 races on the card.

Local driver Dave Palone, who recently surpassed 21,000 career victories, joined brother Michael in winning with Principle Interest in the final race of the day.

Fox televised the Adios finals.