Officials with the Meadows in Pennsylvania have announced some of the details of the track’s upcoming 2019 campaign, including information pertaining to certain stakes and race dates.
The Meadows will offer 195 live racing programs in 2019 — same as the 2018 total — highlighted by the 53rd edition of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids on July 20 and July 27.
Generally, the track will race four days each week. Race days January through March will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Saturday replacing Friday thereafter. Post time most race days will be 1:05 p.m.
The Adios, one of harness racing’s most prestigious events for three-year-old pacers that typically carries a purse of approximately $500,000, will be contested over two Saturdays. Eliminations are scheduled for July 20, first post at 1:05 p.m., and the final will be contested the following Saturday, when the Grand Circuit stakes-rich card will begin at noon.
Other highlights of the 2019 schedule include:
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Four consecutive Sunday afternoon cards beginning Feb. 17 — a departure for the track, which has not raced Sundays for many years. There will be no Monday programs following those Sunday cards.
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Special live programs to complement each leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown. First post those days — May 4, May 18, June 8 — is 11:25 a.m.
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Four spring/summer Friday twilight cards beginning at 5:30 p.m.
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Three weeklong maintenance breaks — one each in April, September and December.
(Meadows)