Delvin Miller Adios elimination winners Sweet Lou and Bettors Edge weren’t able to choose their post positions for the $500,000 final, but Wednesday’s open draw at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino was kind to them anyway.
Sweet Lou will leave from post four and Bettors Edge from post two in Saturday’s final of the 46th edition of the “Pace for the Orchids.”
The Meadows-based trainer Ron Burke sends out both Sweet Lou and Breakin The Law in his quest for his first Adios orchids; the Burke stable’s May June Character captured the 2007 Adios when Ron was assistant for his father Mickey. In Sweet Lou, he’ll have the hometown hero and likely favourite. The Dan Patch Award winner last year, Sweet Lou soared over the $1 million mark in career earnings with his elimination triumph, and he’s won all 10 of his starts (counting qualifiers) at The Meadows.
Palone said he couldn’t have been more pleased with the draw.
“How great is it when you draw the post position you would have picked if you’d had your choice?” Palone said. “It’s one of the best post positions to have at The Meadows because the starting judge is right behind the four. You have a good angle into the turn. It also lets you keep an eye on horses inside and outside of you. It’s one of my favourite spots to start from over the years because you can control a horse race from there.”
It’s a tough group,” said Linda Toscano, trainer of Bettors Edge. “I think Sweet Lou has got a hair of an edge here on his home track. I think they want this race more than they want any other race. But it’s a deep group."
Toscano said that a victory in the glamour boy division during last weekend's Adios eliminations was "vindication" for Bettors Edge, proving he belongs amongst the group.
“He’s a great gaited horse...he just hasn’t been lucky," she said. "I think he’ll only get better. Those Cam Fella-line stallions like Bettors Delight always do. They get better as they get older.”
Although eight horses qualified for the final, the field was reduced to seven with the defection of Hurrikane Kingcole, whose connections opted instead for an elimination of the Jersey Classic. The Adios will go as race 12 with an approximate post time of 4 p.m.
Here is a look at the complete Adios field, with post positions and drivers:
1. Bolt The Duer - Mark McDonald
2. Bettors Edge - Daniel Dube
3. Breakin The Law - David Miller
4. Sweet Lou - Dave Palone
5. Allstar Legend - Jim Morrill Jr.
6. Thinking Out Loud - John Campbell
7. A Rocknroll Dance - Yannick Gingras
To enhance the excitement of the Adios card, The Meadows announced that its late Pick 4 (Races 10-13) will offer a guaranteed $15,000 pool, and the Pick 3 (Races 12-14) will carry a $7,500 guaranteed pool. Both pool guarantees are offered in association with the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative.
Saturday’s powerful card also features three additional Grand Circuit stakes: the $150,000 (est.) Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for three-year-old filly pacers, the $100,000 (est.) Gov. Lawrence for freshman colt and gelding pacers, and the $100,000 (est.) Catherine Baker Knoll for two-year-old filly pacers. First post for the 18-race program is 12:20 p.m.
(With files from The Meadows & HRC)