The Meadows today announced its 2010 stakes schedule, a rich program that will award an estimated $6.45
million in purses.
The stakes schedule will kick off May 7 with a $200,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes event for three-year-old filly pacers, and concludes September 24 with a $125,000 Keystone Classic event for freshman pacing colts.
As always, the centrepiece of the schedule is the Delvin Miller Adios, which this year will be conducted over two days (eliminations on Saturday, July 24; the final on Saturday, July 31). Including the eliminations, the final, and the $50,000 consolation, the 'Pace for the Orchids' will offer a projected total purse of $750,000.
"This is one of the most compelling stakes schedules we have ever assembled,” said Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing. “The sizable purses will attract first-rate stables and horses, which will mean exciting racing for our fans.”
Among the schedule’s highlights:
- Adios Day on July 31 also will feature three other Grand Circuit events — the $200,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for three-year-old filly pacers, the $100,000 Gov. David L. Lawrence for freshman pacing colts, and the $100,000 Catherine Baker Knoll for two-year-old filly pacers. More than $1 million in purses will be up for grabs on the Adios Day card.
- A 'Day of Champions' on Saturday, September 4, when the Meadows will host all four PASS championships for three-year-olds as well as a consolation for each of those divisions. Total PASS purses that day are projected at $800,000.
- The Currier & Ives, an early-season showcase for three-year-old trotters, which will offer an estimated $300,000 in purses over its two divisions. The fillies will go on Thursday, June 3, with the Open Division set for the following day.
(With files from the Meadows)