It’s called the Delvin Miller Adios, but a certain owner may be excused if he thinks of the race as the Jeff Snyder
Adios.
That’s because Snyder already has won the 'Pace for the Orchids' three times as an owner. On Saturday, August 1 at the Meadows, he’ll be gunning for the Adios grand slam with Well Said, thus far the cream of the three-year-old pacing crop this season. The final goes for $677,665, the biggest final-heat purse in Adios history and the richest single race in the annals of Pennsylvania standardbred racing.
As an owner or co-owner, Snyder has captured the prestigious Adios with Cams Card Shark (1994), Million Dollar Cam (2002) and Village Jolt (2005). Of the three, he regards the victory by Cams Card Shark as the most gratifying.
“The first time you win a race like the Adios, it’s exciting,” Snyder said. “Actually, any time you win a race like the Adios, it’s exciting. The people at the Meadows are really great harness fans. I always try to keep multiple horses eligible to the Adios.
“We’ve had a lot of good luck there…and whatever else enters into it. I hope we’ll be just as effective Saturday.”
Snyder, who is partnered with Lothlorien in Well Said, remembers being overwhelmed by the son of Western Hanover—Must See when the youngster walked through the ring at the Standardbred Horse Sale at Harrisburg.
“He was perfect, the best-looking colt at auction that year,” he said. “He had the pedigree, and he looked real good in the field. We had confidence in him right from the start. He’s been a dream come true.”
Indeed, Well Said handily captured the North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace—the division’s only million-dollar races—and the colt paced a track record 1:49 in winning his Adios elimination. The bay has banked $1,939,627 in 19 career starts, meaning that the colt has earned, on average, just over $100,000 each time out.
But the Snyder Adios mojo was temporarily out of order at the draw when Well Said was saddled with Post 9. Trainer Steve Elliott, who won the 2000 Adios with Riverboat King, professed to be unperturbed. He also indicated Well Said’s demanding recent race schedule has not drained the colt.
“He has only seven starts this year, so he’s fresh as a daisy,” Elliott said. “He hasn’t ever been tired. I’m not changing anything this week. I learned a long time ago — when they’re good, leave them alone. Hopefully, we’ll stay a little lucky. We’ll probably ship Friday morning. We like to keep them in their own stalls where they’re comfortable.”
Away from the track, Snyder operates Etna Products, a gift and houseware distributing business that was founded by his father in 1945 and now employs Snyder’s son and daughter as well. The company was named for Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily, but it’s Snyder’s equine business that’s erupting now.
“Etna has been good to us all these years,” Snyder said, “but it’s a tough retail environment right now. Maybe I should say I’m in the horse business now.”
(With files from the Meadows)