Entering five horses in the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids isn’t a record, but it’s a heckuva lot more than average. Trainer Tony Alagna, who has accomplished the feat for the 53rd edition of the Adios, feels blessed to have such a large contingent of Adios-worthy sophomore pacing colts.
“It’s nice to bring that many,” said Alagna. “We’ve had a good go at the Meadows, so we’re happy to come.”
The $475,000 Adios will kick off Saturday at the Meadows with three $25,000 eliminations (Race 7, 8, 10). The top three finishers in each elim will advance to the final. The card, which will begin at 1:05 p.m., also features a pair of stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies.
The $400,000 final will anchor a July 27 program that will include a total of six Grand Circuit stakes as well as a $50,000 Invitational Pace. Foiled Again, who retired as the richest Standardbred all time with more than $7.5 million in earnings, will lead the post parades for the Adios and the Invitational, which has been named in his honour. First post on Adios Day will be at 11:25 a.m. and the Adios final is scheduled to be carded as Race 15.
It is believed that trainer Ron Burke holds the record for most Adios entrants for a single edition – he dropped six in the box in 2017 – but Alagna knows his way to the orchids. He won the 2016 Adios with Racing Hill and finished second last year with American History.
Here’s how Alagna has handicapped his quintet:
◈ Odds On Boca Raton (Race 7, Post 1, Dexter Dunn): was second in the Hempt consolation and won his last tune-up in 1:51.1 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. “We’ve been picking and choosing our spots for him, but he’s been racing phenomenal. He draws a good spot, but in the toughest division. He’ll have to go forward off the gate for sure.” The son of Captaintreacherous-Captiva Island campaigns for Odds On Racing.
◈ Captain Trevor (Race 7, Post 9, David Miller) is a son of Captaintreacherous-It Was Fascination that is owned by Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and Captain Trevor Racing. He won the Hempt consolation in 1:50.1. “He just continues to get bad post positions. He had a ton of pace in the Meadowlands Pace final. He’s very versatile, but he’ll have to go forward off the gate to make anything happen.”
◈ U S Captain (Race 8, Post 5, Dexter Dunn) was third in his Meadowlands Pace elim. “He was parked out the whole way and behind dull cover in that race. With a smoother trip, he can do a lot more damage.” Brittany Farms, Grant, Joseph Barbera and U S Captain Racing own the son of Captaintreacherous-American Jewel.
◈ Escapetothebeach (Race 10, Post 6, Tim Tetrick) is a gelding whose dam, Shelliscape, banked more than $1.15 million. “He’s definitely going in the right direction. He was good off the pace in the Meadowlands Pace final.” The son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Alagna and Inthegym, Joe Sbrocco, Robert Leblanc and William Donovan.
◈ Captain Cash (Race 10, Post 7, Andrew McCarthy) is a colt that has yet to face stakes company this year. “He was lightly raced last year, so we’ve been racing him in ‘non-winners’ events. We think it’s a good time to see if he fits with the better colts.” The son of Captaintreacherous-Authorize races for Brittany Farms, Grant, Vincent Barbera and Riverview Racing.
It’s no surprise that four of the colts are sons of Captaintreacherous, as Alagna trained that two-time Pacer of the Year.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)