by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — What do Billy Haughton, Stanley Dancer, Joe O’Brien and Brett Pelling have in common? They’re the only trainers in the 45-year history of the Delvin Miller Adios to win the “Pace for the Orchids” in consecutive years. (Actually, Haughton won three straight from 1967-69 and Pelling went back-to-back twice in 1995-96 and 2004-05.)

Now, George Teague, Jr., who won the 2010 event with Delmarvalous, tries to join that elite group when he sends out a powerful quartet in the 2011 Adios. Three $50,000 eliminations are set for Saturday (July 23), first post 6:55 p.m., while the $500,000 (est.) final will go Saturday afternoon (July 30), anchoring a card that will offer more than $1 million in purses.

Few trainers pursue Adios glory with such firepower, although Teague is taking nothing for granted.

“When you first start out in this game, you don’t really think a whole lot about winning major races,” he said. “And if you’re lucky enough to win a few of those, you learn how tough a task it is. But the horses are feeling good, so we have a shot.”

Two of Teague’s horses, Wink N Atcha and Feel Like A Fool, are coupled as a wagering entry in the first elim. Here are Teague’s assessments of his Gang of Four:

Wink N Atcha (First elim, post 5): “He’s been good all year, although his earnings don’t necessarily show that. He was used hard in the Meadowlands Pace final and still raced solid all the way (finishing third). He and Custard The Dragon definitely are the sharpest of the four.”

Feel Like A Fool (First elim, post 6): “He needs to get into the race a bit more; that may not be easy to do from post six. He still has the speed and potential, and I expect him to keep getting better.”

Wind Me Up (Second elim, post 6): “He definitely hasn’t had a good year, but there’s a lot more to him than what you see. I still have high regard for him but he needs a break or two.”

Custard The Dragon (Third elim, post 2): “He’s danced every dance this year, and it hasn’t taken a toll on him. Early in the year, he dropped a knee boot, got into himself and had some problems from there, but I don’t think there will be any issues in the Adios.”