The last Saturday in July has come and gone again at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows and with it, another great edition of the Adios Pace for three-year-old colt pacers. The day was full of exciting races in front of a large gathering of fans, great wagering opportunities and promotions, and great weather. CAPTAIN ALBANO was sent off as the 1-2 post-time favorite in the Adios Final after winning his elimination in impressive fashion the week before. Turning for home it appeared that CAPTAIN ALBANO would be in for a comfortable victory, but the other elimination winner, WISH YOU WELL, wanted to have his say. WISH YOU WELL was full of pace up the inside late but came up short as CAPTAIN ALBANO held on to win in 1:49.2. The win provided both driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley their first victories in the Adios.
The other major race of the day, the Adioo Volo, saw a new track record established. MY GIRL EJ made easy work of chasing down leader GEOCENTRIC and holding off CANIGETALOUPLOUP late to score the Adioo Volo win in 1:48.4. The mark established a new all-age track record for a female pacer. Dexter Dunn was the winning driver and it was one of three wins on the day for trainer Ron Burke. One other impressive performance worth mentioning came in the Arden Downs for three-year-old colt trotters. SPLENDID, who was sent off as the clear favorite, was unable to find a seat and was parked the entire mile. Nonetheless, he prevailed in 1:54.0 to pick up his eighth consecutive victory for trainer Todd Rooney and driver Chris Lems.
Racing at the Meadows will roll on through the months of August and September on a Wednesday-to-Saturday basis with some exceptions. No racing will be held on Saturday, August 24th, or during Little Brown Jug week in Ohio (week of September 15th). Racing begins at 12:45 pm each day with the exception of the remaining Fridays in August that still feature 5:10 pm evening racing. The final three weeks of August will feature Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Pennsylvania Stallion Series action each week and the Pennsylvania Stallion Championships will be held at the Meadows on the Thursday, September 5 card.
This week’s Stakes action will take place on the Friday, August 16 card with three divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers in Races 6, 8, and 10. #5 LOUPRINT looks very tough in Race 6 for the Burke Brigade off of win two back in PASS action and a strong effort last time out at the Red Mile in a Kentucky Sire Stakes race. Race 8 is a very difficult race to decipher with several horses that have performed well so far in PASS racing. I’ll take a chance with #1 GO GO GRASSHOPPER on top as he looks for his first career victory. He raced well two back to be second on debut in PASS action and can be forgiven the miscue late last time out. I like his chances to rebound on Friday evening and I think the price will be right to take a chance. Finally, in Race 10, #1 PAPI’S ROCKET looks to be another strong chance for the Ron Burke barn. He’s been very solid in his races so far and was a strong second after a big backhalf last time out. He should be closer early from the rail draw in this one and should take care of business from there. Best of luck with your wagers this Friday and always at the Meadows!
