by Al Cimaglia
July 29, 2023
It's Adios Day and the biggest card of the year is in place at The Meadows. The main event comes in Race 15, the 57th Delvin Miller Adios Final when nine 3-year-old pacers compete for a share of a $350,000 purse. The competitive card is loaded with betting options as there is $170,000 in guaranteed pools. My focus is on the 0.50 Late Pick 4 which starts in Race 13. The sequence has a $15,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus.
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Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 13 (3:57 PM EST)
1-Stay Sunny (4-1)-Shows good gate speed and could take charge when the wings fold. Can offer a square price and has hit the board in 3 of 4 at the Meadows with 2 pictures.
3-Sonadora (5-1)-Has enough gate speed to get a close-up seat. Dave Palone could work a suck-around trip and finish fastest of all.
4-Shop Micki (6-1)-With this post draw James MacDonald can set up a stalking trip. Looking for a lively pace and that could benefit the Tim Twaddle trainee.
7-My Girl EJ (2-1)-The Ron Burke pupil has been facing some tough customers and from the inside would be a strong odds-on choice. Rolled a 54.2 back-half with a 26.3 last panel on 7-8 at the Meadows to come a close 2nd versus Sires Stakes company. They won't go to the half in .58 on a fast track today. Tossing the last start at PcD that shows a break, Chris Page is back between the pipes, and he is the usual pilot. Will be tough to beat with a clean trip, but the post draw makes this more interesting.
Race 14 (4:18 PM EST)
1-Vicious (7/5)-Steps up after getting on the engine and drawing off by over 6 lengths. That mile went in 149 flat, 1/5 of a second off the track record for 4-year-old pacers and was done on his own. This is Dave Palone's choice over #4 and #6 and is a main threat to double up.
4-Warrawee Veloce (9/2)-This Angie Coleman entry has a big gate speed and could land on the point or get the 2-hole ride behind the chalk. This will be the 3rd race off the bench, and its initial 2 starts were sharp especially considering the layoff dates back to 12-9-22. Dexter Dunn takes the lines and it's best to not overlook.
Race 15-Delvin Miller Adios Final (4:39 PM EST)
3-It's My Show (9/5)-Linda Toscano's sophomore was 0-8 in 2022 and is 7-7 this year. Took a few weeks off after winning the NA Cup at Wbsb on 6-17 and then set a world record for 3-year-olds on a 5/8's track with a 147.4 mile to win his Elimination race. Scott Zeron should be in position near the top or on the lead when the wings fold. The faster they go the better this son of Sweet Lou likes it.
4-Cannibal (5/2)-Probably needs things to work out perfectly to beat #3 but Nancy Takter will have this Elimination winner sharp as a tack and has good gate speed. Yannick Gingras will try to stay close to the leader and look to get up in time down the lane.
5-Redwood Hanover (7-1)-For those looking to play a few tickets and to shoot against the 2 chalks this a good choice. For a big upset to happen a blistering pace is a must and the two above will need to have a rough trip. James MacDonald steers and he knows how to tackle the leader down the lane. Needs the right set up but should be flying late in the mile at a big price and the fractions should be hot.
Race 16 (5:00 PM EST)
1-Lord Of Winterfell (6-1)-Willing to take a swing against #4 who could go off as an odds-on favorite. This is Mike Wilder's choice over #2 and #7 and will bank on him being able to light-up the 10-year-old off the gate. Can be a player with an alert start.
3-Monterey Jack (7-1)-Should offer a big price. If Anthony MacDonald can leave and find a close up seat this 5-year-old could hang around and use one move near the wire to post a win.
4-Rocked N Loaded (6/5)-Has been facing better and although recent form has been dull this is a soft spot. Not sure trying to wire this field will work, otherwise this would be my single. Should be bet hard and Dave Palone may look to control the action. Could get on the point and not look back, so will use, but not convinced.
0.50 Late Pick 4
1,3,4,7/1,4/3,4,5/1,3,4
Total Bet=$36
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