by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — The 2008 Delvin Miller Adios, one of harness racing’s premier races, has provided a showcase for several of the sport’s legendary 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers since its inception in 1967.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association (PHHA) are proud to host the 2008 edition of the Adios.

And if last week’s elimination races are any indication of what Saturday afternoon’s $350,000 Adios final will bring, it will be one exciting and memorable afternoon of racing.

Shadow Play, reined by David Miller, established a new world record for a 3-year-old pacing colt in winning one of three $50,000 Adios elimination races with a time of 1:48.2. The time was also just two-fifths of a second from equaling the all-time fastest mile paced by any horse on a five-eighths-mile racetrack.

In addition to Shadow Play’s sizzling mile, Goddess’s Justin, driven by Tim Tetrick, won another Adios elimination race with a time of 1:49.4, a new track mark for a 3-year-old pacing gelding.

The Adios annually attracts the top horsemen from throughout North America and this year’s race is no exception since drivers like Yannick Gingras, Tim Tetrick, John Campbell, Brian Sears and Ron Pierce are slated to participate with other standouts from the sport of harness racing. Campbell has won eight Adios races in his career while Pierce has won two. Sears has one to his credit. Veteran driver Mike Lachance has captured three previous Adios races.

Mickey Burke, the nation’s leading trainer, will be seeking his second straight Adios win, having won with May June Character in 2007 at The Meadows. Atochia, the other elimination winner, with a time of 1:50.2, is this year’s Burke entry.

Erv Miller, recognized as one of the top conditioners in the sport, also has an Adios win to his credit and will have an entry in this year’s field with Major General. Miller’s win occurred in 2006 with Cactus Creek.

The Adio Volo and Gov. David Lawrence Arden Downs for pacers also will be contested on Adios Day at the Northeastern Pennsylvania racetrack.

This year’s Adios is being held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs because of construction of a new casino at The Meadows.

Fans, 18 years of age and older, attending Saturday afternoon’s Adios will be receiving a 2008 Delvin Miller Adios hat, while supplies last.

A Miss Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs beauty contest also will be held on Adios Day.

First post is 2:00 p.m. (EDT) and the Adios will be carded as the 10th race.