by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — The final of the 49th edition of the Delvin Miller Adios, the important test for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers that is the signature event of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, is set for the afternoon of Saturday (August 1) when the card begins at 12:20 p.m.

Adios eliminations will take place Friday (July 24) with first post at 6:55 p.m.

The importance of the Adios was underscored in 2014 when the winner, McWicked, went on to earn the Dan Patch Award as the best in his division. The Adios typically carries a total purse exceeding $500,000.

The “Pace for the Orchids” anchors a 2015 schedule that features 208 live cards, a figure that has remained constant in recent years and indicates the ongoing strength of harness racing in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission has approved the schedule.

Generally, The Meadows will offer four live programs per week — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday — each beginning at 12:55 p.m. The season kicks off Monday (Jan. 5).

Highlights of the schedule include:

Through May, the final Friday program of each month will begin at 6:55 p.m. In June, July and August, each Friday card will start at 6:55 p.m.

The Meadows will offer live cards to complement each leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown. Special post time for those Saturday programs on May 2, May 16 and June 6 is 11:25 a.m.

The track will continue to offer $5,000 guaranteed total pools for its Pick-4 wager each Monday and Tuesday, a feature introduced in 2014 that proved popular with bettors.