by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — With table games now open, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino is gearing up for one of its busiest and most exciting events of the year — Adios Week. The annual extravaganza of top harness racing and entertainment will kick off Saturday, July 24, with eliminations for the $700,000 Delvin Miller Adios and conclude the following Saturday with the 44th “Pace for the Orchids.”

During the festive week, the track will offer a compelling variety of fan giveaways, food and beverage specials, and kids’ activities to complement a full schedule of Grand Circuit racing. For the first time in the history of the event, two radio stations, ESPN and WJPA, will provide live coverage of the Adios final.

“Now that The Meadows has added table games, we’re planning one of the most exciting Adios Weeks ever,” said Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing. “With the best young Standardbreds competing for rich purses and a full slate of events, our celebration will include something for everyone. This will be the first-ever Adios where our guests can play their favorite table games — and then take in some of the best harness racing they’ll find anywhere.”

Racing action will be particularly attractive on Friday, July 30, and Saturday, July 31. Highlights of Friday’s card are a trio of Arden Downs races — the $100,000 Catherine Baker Knoll for 2-year-old pacing fillies, the $75,000 James Mandarino for sophomore colt and gelding trotters, and the $75,000 Ned McCarr for 3-year-old filly trotters.

In addition to the final of the Adios, one of the sport’s premier events for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, the July 31 card will offer the $200,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for 3-year-old pacing fillies and the $100,000 Gov. David L. Lawrence Arden Downs for freshman colt and gelding pacers.

Adios Week features three evening cards — July 28, 29, 30 — with first post at 6:55 p.m. All other Adios Week cards begin at 12:55 p.m.

Adios Week fun includes the following:

• Free t-shirts for all fans who purchase a Meadows program on track July 24 (while supplies last).
• Drawings for starting gate rides, vouchers and a chance to score in the “Adios Famous Cash Grab,” where participants try to snatch wind-blown money from a glass enclosure. (Winners receive Meadows vouchers equal in value to the amount of cash secured.)
• An a la carte outdoor barbecue, located on the track apron, during each evening program and both Saturday cards.
• Thursday’s 2010 Miss Adios Pageant, which begins at approximately 7 p.m. in the trackside tent on the apron.

As part of The Meadows’ table games operations, 42 tables — including popular games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, big six wheel, mini baccarat, three-card poker and pai gow poker — are immediately visible inside the main entrance.

On the lower Racebook level, The Meadows has created a state-of-the-art Poker Room that provides players a more intimate experience away from the hustle and bustle of the main gaming floor. The 9,800-square-foot Poker Room includes 26 tables, an automated player reservation system, shuffling machines and a wide variety of limit and no-limit games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud. Tournaments with modest buy-ins, ranging from $40 to $150, will be held twice each day. Major tournaments — including qualifiers for the World Series of Poker — will be staged on a quarterly basis. Poker Room amenities include a full-service bar and food service area.

Table games expand the entertainment options available at The Meadows, which offers 3,500 slot machines, a new racing grandstand, a simulcast area, VIP super boxes and an all-ages bowling center. The Meadows also offers premier restaurants, including Bistecca steakhouse and the newly opened Gibson’s Cigar Lounge, both with spectacular views of the racetrack. Pacers Bar and Silks Lounge provide free live music nightly.