by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Dismissed at 35-1, Cooperstown rallied wide and strong in the lane and became the most improbable of the trio of winners in Saturday’s (July 25) eliminations in the $525,000 Delvin Miller Pace for the Orchids Presented by Coors Lite at The Meadows. National Seelster and My Hero Ron, both favorites, captured the other eliminations.

Chris Gooden photo

National Seelster scored his fifth win this year in the 2nd Adios elimination on Saturday at The Meadows.

They’ll be joined in next Saturday’s final by Angelo J Fra, Dreams Beachboy, Lost For Words, Dude’s The Man, Yankee Bounty and Trading Up. Ron Burke trains two elimination winners—Cooperstown and My Hero Ron, each piloted to victory by Yannick Gingras—and also will be represented by Yankee Bounty. Tony Alagna (Dreams Beachboy, Trading Up) will send a pair to the final.

An open draw for Adios final post positions is set for Tuesday, 12:30 PM, and can be seen on Meadows Live!

Cooperstown, whose most recent victory came in a non-winners of three, appeared to be in an unenviable position—third-over and chasing a leader, Tomy Terror, who’d enjoyed a 29.2 second-quarter breather. Gingras, however, didn’t see it that way.

“Actually, I liked my spot,” he said. “I didn’t think the leaders were the horses to beat, and I knew my cover would take me a long way. I wasn’t thinking about winning—he was 35-1 for a reason. But around the last turn, I knew I’d made the final, anyway.”

Cooperstown blazed the back half in 54.1 and scored in 1:49.4, defeating Lost For Words by a neck. Dude’s The Man rallied from last for show. Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Keith Pippi and Michelle Yanek campaign Cooperstown, a son of Four Starzzz Shark-American Charm.

National Seelster, who is 4 for 4 in New York Sires Stake action this year, got away in third. Tim Tetrick moved him to the front at the quarter, a decision Tetrick said he nearly came to regret.

“My horse was kind of falling asleep on the front,” Tetrick said. “He’s only cut it a few times, and he didn’t know what to do up there. When he saw that Yannick couldn’t get around him, he got brave. He swelled up enough to get to the wire. I think he needs a helmet to follow for quite a while. He can rough it some, but on the front, he’s too lazy. I won’t do that again with him.”

The son of Bettor’s Delight-No Strikes Against woke up in enough time to repel the stern first-over challenge of Rufo and triumph in 1:51.1, three-quarter lengths better than long shot Angelo J Fra. Dreams Beachboy completed the ticket. Chris Ryder conditions National Seelster for Robert Mondillo and Oompa’s Farm.

Chris Gooden photo

My Hero Ron took command early and went on to win the 3rd Adios elim in 1:50.3.

My Hero Ron took command early, put away his well-intended stablemate, Yankee Bounty, and downed him by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50.3, with Trading Up third. It was the third straight win for the Well Said-Emma La Em gelding since his private acquisition by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Frank Baldachino.

“He’s a little bit lazy, but he’s the kind of horse who will step up when they get to him,” Gingras said. “Those were pretty soft fractions for this bunch, so I knew he’d have plenty left.”

ADIOS ELIMS NOTES: The Burke entered 24 horses, most ever for Burke on a single program at a single track. Ultimately, two were scratched. Nevertheless, Farm Manager Michelle Hill spent a good chunk of the preceding week preparing index cards for each horse with staff assignments.