by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Somwherovrarainbow, last year’s divisional champion who has struggled through sickness at times in 2013, appeared back on track Saturday (July 27) at The Meadows when she captured a division of the $136,920 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo.

Nikki Beach took the other split in the event for 3-year-old filly pacers, which was part of the Delvin Miller Adios card.

Chris Gooden photo

Somwherovrarainbow was a front-end winner in 1:51.1.

Montrell Teague piloted Somwherovrarainbow to her front-end victory in 1:51.1 for his father, trainer George Teague, Jr., and owners George Teague, Jr. Inc., K&R Racing and Ted Gewertz.

Although she’s won four of eight starts this year, the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Rainbow Blue disappointed in the Lynch, finishing fourth in her elimination and seventh in the final. On Adios Day, she fired to the front from post five and encountered no serious challenges until the stretch, where she held off the determined Mattwestern by a neck. Antigua Hanover rallied for show.

“She’s been tying up and had a little bit of allergies, but we got it fixed now,” Montrell Teague said. “I think she can race a lot better. If she gets the right race and the right competition, she can go a bigger mile. I think Dad has it all figured out. He’s been watching over her pretty good.”

With the victory, Somwherovrarainbow boasts $674,547 in career earnings.

Nikki Beach powered to the front with a quick backside burst and rolled to victory in a career-best 1:51.2, a neck better than Novascotia Hanover, with Handsoffmycupcake third.

Chris Paige drove the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Western Wisdom, who extended her lifetime bankroll to $390,109, for trainer Tony Alagna and owner Brittany Farms.

Adios Yearling Sale purchase is fastest in Arden Downs stake

How sweet is it when a colt purchased as a yearling a few hundred yards from the finish line wins a division of an Arden Downs stake the very next year? According to Dave Palone, it was sweet, indeed, when he piloted Invictus Hanover to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Gov. David Lawrence-Arden Downs at The Meadows.

The Grand Circuit event for freshman colt and gelding pacers was contested Adios Day over five divisions, with Allstar Partner, Limelight Beach, Kingofthejungle and Goldin Parachute also taking $20,000 splits.

A son of Yankee Cruiser-I Sparkle, Invictus Hanover was gaveled down for $16,000 at last year’s Hanover Adios Yearing Sale to Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Keith Pippi and Michelle Yanek and turned over to Ron Burke to train.

Although he finished fifth in his most recent outing, a Pennsylvania Sires Stake, he rebounded Saturday by exploiting a cover trip and scoring in a stakes-fastest 1:52.3. A OK Hanover was second, a length back, with Avalanche Hanover third.

“I’d like to pick up one like him every year,” Palone said. “He came out of his last race and scoped a little sick. I knew his performance had nothing to do with his attitude or ability. He’s a good-gaited colt. As big and strong as he is, he’ll make quite a nice horse down the road.”

$76,350 Arden Downs stake, 2-year-old filly pacers

Also part of the Adios Day card was the inaugural Mary Lib Miller-Arden Downs, a Grand Circuit event for 2-year-old filly pacers renamed this year to honor the contributions of the late Mary Lib Miller, wife of The Meadows founder Delvin Miller, who served as a director of the Harness Hall of Fame. Lucy’s Pearl, Sister Stroll and Rusty’s Bliss each took a Mary Lib Miller split.

Lucy’s Pearl had two Hall of Famers in her corner — Palone and trainer Ron Gurfein — and that couldn’t have hurt. She worked out a pocket trip from post nine and triumphed in 1:53.1 for her third straight victory. Stucklikeglue was second, 1-3/4 lengths in arrears, while Boots N Saddle earned show. Both Lucy’s Pearl and Stucklikeglue survived inquiries to maintain their positions.

“I really like her,” Palone said. “Gurf is making a pacing comeback. Honestly, that’s a helluva mile for a 2-year-old out of the nine hole, to be used twice like that. I was tickled to death with her.”

Gurfein and Elizabeth Novak own the daughter of Well Said-Remember When.

Sister Stroll exploded to the lead past the three-quarters for Chris Page and drew off to score in 1:54.1 despite a final quarter in :31.3. Temptation Hanover and Fiyonce were promoted to second and third, respectively, following the disqualification of second-place finisher Cinamony.

“They got tired at the end, but when you’re down there in 1:22.3, these 2-year-olds will get a little tired,” said Brian Brown, who trains the daughter of Art Official-So Western, a $40,000 yearling acquisition, for Jennifer Brown, Strollin Stable and King McNamara. “She’s a half sister to Dancinwiththestarz, who made almost $1 million. She has a lot of racing left this year.”