by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Adios Week, an action-packed celebration of Grand Circuit harness racing and fun, kicks off at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino on Friday (July 19) and culminates Saturday (July 27), with the final of the 47th Delvin Miller Adios carrying an estimated purse of $500,000.

This year spanning nine days, Adios Week is always The Meadows’ signature event, but Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing, indicates that Adios Week 2013 is especially noteworthy.

“Adios Week this year is the highlight of the track’s observance of our 50th anniversary,” Jeannot said. “We wanted to assemble the best Adios Week ever to show our appreciation for our fans, who really are at the heart of our longevity and success.”

The festivities begin July 19 with a perennial crowd favorite, the finals of the Miss Adios Contest, which will yield a new champion to preside over Adios Week.

On July 27, the “Pace for the Orchids” will match the finest 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in the sport and will anchor a power-packed card that kicks off at 12:20 p.m. The Adios Day program also features the $140,000 (est.) Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for sophomore pacing fillies, the $90,000 (est.) Mary Lib Miller-Arden Downs for 2-year-old pacing fillies and the $100,000 (est.) Gov. David Lawrence-Arden Downs for freshman colt and gelding pacers.

The Miss Adios Contest and the Adios final bracket a week that includes these highlights:

Saturday (July 20): The card beginning at 6:55 p.m. features Adios eliminations and an intriguing line-up of three supporting stakes for the most promising young filly pacers in Pennsylvania. Projected purses for those three stakes exceed $500,000.

And that’s not all. On July 20, The Meadows, in association with HorseTourneys.com, will conduct a “Pick & Pray” handicapping contest, with the winner earning a berth in the 2014 World Harness Handicapping Contest. Those interested in registering or learning more should visit the website www.horsetourneys.com and check out the free past performances at TrackMaster.

In addition, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will select via raffle one winner to become a Standardbred owner for a week. The lucky patron will receive trainer updates, visit The Meadows’ stables and even share in the horse’s earnings.

Also on July 20, in co-operation with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program, The Meadows will offer a Pick- 4 (races 4-7) with a guaranteed $7,500 pool.

Monday (July 22)–Wednesday (July 24): Fan appreciation is the emphasis on these three days, as Player Rewards members may participate in a “Mystery Coupon Giveaway” (July 22), a handicapping contest (July 23) and a 50th Anniversary Hat Giveaway (July 24). Wednesday’s card features the inaugural $60,000 (est.) Edward M. Ryan-Arden Downs for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Friday (July 26): All are invited to a Summer Grill Cookout in the Miller Adios Tent. Featured races Friday evening are a pair of Grand Circuit Arden Downs stakes for 3-year-old trotters.

Saturday (July 27): The Adios Day card offers a number of special wagers, including: a $7,500 guaranteed Pick-4 (races 4-7); a $15,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 (races 9-12), and a $25,000 guaranteed superfecta on race 12, the Adios final.