by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Forget the driver. Don’t care about the trainer. As he prepares for Saturday’s $400,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Presented by Coors Light at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, all Lost For Words wants is his masseuse.

Although Lost For Words has banked $330,642 in his career and is undefeated in this year’s Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, massage isn’t a fun reward. Rather, it’s therapy, part of a series of treatments — including chiropractic — designed to ease the horse’s sore back.

Trainer Brian Brown changed shoes on the son of Well Said-Thou Shalt Not prior to the July 4 final of the Max Hempt. He slowed late in the mile and didn’t bounce right back.

“When you’re racing horses like Wiggle It JiggleIt and In The Arsenal, you look for advantages to make your horse better,” Brown said. “So we went to a glue-on shoe, and he didn’t take to it well. He was getting thinner on us. His blood came back good, he scoped good, so I’m pretty sure it was because his feet were hurting, and I’m pretty sure that affected his back.”

In last week’s Adios elimination, Brown switched Lost For Words back to shoes with pads, and the colt responded, losing by only a neck to 37-1 longshot Cooperstown.

Lost For Words has enjoyed four massage/chiropractic treatments over the past two weeks, and Brown says he has noticed a difference.

Chris Gooden photo

Lost For Words heads into the Adios with nine career wins and earnings of $330,642.

“I can’t tell you he’s 100 percent sound,” the trainer said, “but Bill Irvine, who helps me with the horse, said he trained a great trip Thursday.”

Brown has mapped out an ambitious campaign for Lost For Words, keeping him eligible to a slew of stakes, including the Little Brown Jug, the Breeders Crown, the Battle of the Brandywine, the Carl Milstein, the Windy City Pace and a pair of events at The Red Mile.

In the Adios, Lost For Words may have an edge — Brown’s gaudy .559 UTR at The Meadows this season. Brown attributes his success to his decision to train his horses in Florida over the winter.

“We were ahead of most because of the harsh winter everyone had up here. When my 3-year-olds came out of Florida, they were really ready.”

Brown’s percentage will be tested Saturday when he races 11 horses, including three fillies in the $125,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo. Lost For Words and David Miller leave from post six in the Adios.

In addition to the Adios, the powerhouse card features five other Grand Circuit stakes, plus the $50,000 Adios Consolation (Brown sends out Rise Up Now), the $50,000 Roy D. Davis Invitational for 4-year-olds and four multi-race wagers with a combined $45,000 in total pool guarantees. First post is 12:20 p.m., with the Adios set for approximately 4 p.m.

The Adios field, in post position order with drivers, trainers and morning line odds:

1. Yankee Bounty-Brett Miller-Ron Burke-15-1
2. Dude’s The Man-Corey Callahan-Jessica Okusko-5-2
3. Trading Up-Dave Palone-Tony Alagna-15-1
4. Cooperstown-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-5-1
5. Dreams Beachboy-Scott Zeron-Tony Alagna-12-1
6. Lost For Words-David Miller-Brian Brown-5-1
7. My Hero Ron-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke-3-1
8. Angelo J Fra-Tony Hall-Norm Parker-12-1
9. National Seelster-Tim Tetrick-Chris Ryder-6-1