Versado, who carries the hopes of his all-Pennsylvania connections in Saturday’s $500,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios at the Meadows, was installed as the early
2-1 favourite after drawing Post 3.
Rockin Image, an elimination winner along with Versado and Pang Shui, wasn’t as fortunate; if he’s to give trainer Jimmy Takter consecutive wins in the “Pace for the Orchids,” he’ll have to do it from Post 9 as the 3-1 second choice. Pang Shui leaves from Post 5.
The Adios will go as Race 11 on Saturday’s 17-race card, with an approximate post time of 4:15 p.m.
Burke and Hall of Fame driver Dave Palone each will be gunning for his second blanket or orchids. The Burke stable captured the Adios with May June Character in 2007 while Palone triumphed behind Washington VC in 1999. But Burke noted that Burke Racing stable’s co-owners in Versado--Mark Weaver, Mike Bruscemi, Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold--all hail from the Keystone State but have yet to visit the Adios winners’ circle.
“A win would be special because my whole family is still involved, and Mark and Mike are involved,” Burke said. “They’re our biggest owners and basically my closest friends in the business. It would mean a lot if we could get it done for them.
“It also would be special to win with David. He’s won an Adios, we’ve won an Adios, but we didn’t do it together. It would be nice to win one together since so much of what we accomplished has been with David.”
The two George Teague, Jr. horses in the race, Delmarvalous and Im Gorgeous, will race as separate wagering entities, per approval of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission.
The field for the Adios final, from the rail, with drivers and the early line posted by The Meadows track handicapper Roger Huston:
1. Trick Man - Ray Paver - 20-1
2. Nova Artist - Eric Ledford - 10-1
3. Versado - Dave Palone - 2-1
4. We Will See - Brett Miller - 4-1
5. Pang Shui - Jim Morrill, Jr. - 12-1
6. Whackamole Hanover - Tim Tetrick - 20-1
7. Im Gorgeous - Andy Miller - 12-1
8. Delmarvalous - Brian Sears - 6-1
9. Rockin Image - Yannick Gingras - 3-1
(The Meadows)