When the Meadows hosts Friday’s final preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, it may seem like 'Act 2' of the 2014 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids, Presented by Coors Light.
That’s because the $199,980 stakes event has attracted Adios champion McWicked as well as Somewhere In L A and Lets Drink On It, who, along with McWicked, won Adios eliminations. First post Friday is 6:55 p.m.
Following the Adios, McWicked easily captured a PASS division, but saw his five-race winning streak snapped in the $400,000 Carl Milstein at Northfield Park, where he dead-heated for second.
“He raced great, but I thought he could have been a little better than what he was,” said Casie Coleman, who trains the son of McArdle-Western Sahara for SSG Stables. “He (McWicked) came out of it quite good. He’s had a real good week training and I’ve been very happy with him.”
Coleman indicated that McWicked, whose dominance during his winning streak has made him a legitimate candidate for divisional honors, will be pointed for the PASS championship and the Little Brown Jug, with the balance of his schedule to be determined.
McWicked will start from Post 4 in the first division (Race 8) with David Miller aboard. The colt will renew acquaintances with Somewhere In L A, who finished a length behind McWicked in the Adios final.
Somewhere In L A, a Somebeachsomewhere-West Of L A gelding, will start from Post 7 for Dave Palone, trainer Jimmy Takter and owners J&T Silva Stables, Deo Volente Farms and TLP Stable. Since the Adios, Somewhere In L A has won both his starts, including a strong performance in the Meadows’ Preferred Pace last week.
Lets Drink On It endured a tough trip in the Millstein and had to settle for fifth. In Friday’s PASS, he’s landed in the wide-open second division (Race 10), where he will start from Post 6 for Tyler Smith.
“He couldn’t get into the race in the Milstein,” said Joe Seekman, who conditions the son of Art Official-Letmedowneasy for Tina Seekman, Larry Bond, Hal Hewitt and Vince Boido Jr. “When you have good horses inside you, it’s suicidal to try to leave. I hope he gets away a little closer. He’s been training good, and he’s healthy.
Also in the second division is Bob Key’s Mattamerican, winner of the Adios consolation. He’ll try to overcome Post 8 for Aaron Merriman and trainer Norm Parker.
The $260,000 (est.) PASS championship for this division is set for September 7 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
MANDATORY PAYOUTS FRIDAY
Because Friday is the last program of the Mountain Laurel meeting, there can be no carryovers in the Pick 4, the Pick 5 and the last Superfecta on the card. These wagers all are ‘must pay.’ In addition, the Pick 5 sports a carryover of $1,660.11. Since the Washington Trotting Association meeting begins Tuesday, September 2, there will be no discontinuity in live racing.
(Meadows)