Jul 18, 2024 4 min read

By John Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

Opportunity knocks for the 15 horses entered in the Delvin Miller Adios Pace.

Not one of them is a standout. Not one of them is particularly hot now.

Over the next week, however, one of them will become an Adios Pace champion at The Meadows.

That sounds good and history suggests that distinction holds some sway and import in industry circles.

The Adios eliminations will be contested Saturday night in two divisions, the eighth and ninth races. The 15 horses will compete to earn a spot in the $400,000 Adios Pace final July 27.

The top-four horses in each division will qualify for the nine-horse final. The ninth horse will be determined by the higher lifetime earnings between the two fifth-place finishers in the eliminations.

Connections of the elimination winners are eligible to select their post positions for the $350,000 final. Other post positions are determined by random draw.

“My horse (Timeisonmyside) is going to take its shot,” said Meadows trainer Tim Twaddle. “We drew the inside post on our home track.

“I’m thankful to be back in The Adios with a horse with a pulse. While there aren’t any world champion horses in the field, The Adios is never an easy race and we’re looking to get to the final and go for the win.”

Timeisonmyside, who has won five of 10 starts this season with three seconds, will be driven by Anthony MacDonald. He will leave from the rail in the second division.

Both elimination purses are $25,000.

Mike Wilder, one of four local drivers to win an Adios, will drive R N B Band in the first elimination. The 3-year-old gelding is trained by Eddie Dennis and has one victory this season in 13 starts. The horse is coming off two straight second-place finishes.

“No question that while there are some nice colts in it, the top ones did not (enter) and it’s wide open,” Wilder said. “I don’t know much about the horse I’m driving. But I know crazy things happen and we’re shooting for the top four. It should be interesting.”

Captain Albano and Captain Luke are the favorites in their respective divisions.

Others considered top contenders include trainer Nifty Norman’s Wish You Well; Noblesville, trained by Ron Burke; Rush In, trained by Linda Toscano, and three horses trained by Travis Alexander, including Sweet Beach Life, Huntingforchrome (both in the first division) and Courtship.

Captain Albano was the Dan Patch Award winner for male pacers as a 2-year-old and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes champion.

“The track is tailor made for Captain Luke. He’s a tactician, has gate speed and is well-mannered,” said driver Scott Zeron.

Zeron said Rush In, the other horse he will drive, “isn’t at his best” coming in.

“The Adios is a prestigious race and cool to win,” Toscano said.

Alexander and Burke combine to train six of the 15 entrants.

“I like all three of my horses,” Alexander said. “It might not be the deepest field but it won’t be easy to win.”

Of his three entrants, Huntingforchrome, is coming off an outstanding performance at the Meadowlands last weekend when he won in 1:48.1 with a 25.2 last quarter.

“You’d need a crystal ball to figure this out,” Wilder said. “These guys will come to drive in this race.”

Down the stretch

Some of next year’s Adios hopefuls will be on display Saturday, with the first round of Pennsylvania Sire Stake action along with PA Stallion Series stakes. . . . The Meadows is featuring the “Richest Day in PA” for bettors, as the track will offer a record $200,000 in guaranteed pools on Adios Pace final day. The program will guarantee a total of 11 pools during the 16-race card.