by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — The Meadows Racetrack & Casino today announced its 2010 stakes schedule, a rich program that will award an estimated $6.45 million in purses to young Standardbreds who prove themselves against top competition.

The stakes schedule kicks off May 7 with a $200,000 PA Sires Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers and concludes Sept. 24 with a $125,000 Keystone Classic event for freshman pacing colts.

As always, the centerpiece of the schedule is the Delvin Miller Adios, which this year will be conducted over two days — eliminations on Saturday, July 24, and the final on Saturday, July 31. Including the eliminations, the final and the $50,000 consolation, the “Pace for the Orchids” will offer a projected total purse of $750,000.

“This is one of the most compelling stakes schedules we have ever assembled,” said Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing. “The sizable purses will attract first-rate stables and horses, which will mean exciting racing for our fans.”

Among the schedule’s highlights:

• Adios Day on July 31 also will feature three other Grand Circuit events — the $200,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for 3-year-old filly pacers, the $100,000 Gov. David L. Lawrence- Arden Downs for freshman pacing colts, and the $100,000 Catherine Baker Knoll-Arden Downs for 2-year-old filly pacers. More than $1 million in purses will be up for grabs on the Adios Day card.

• A “Day of Champions” on Saturday, Sept. 4, when The Meadows will host all four PASS championships for 3-year-olds as well as a consolation for each of those divisions. Total PASS purses that day are projected at $800,000.

• The Currier & Ives, an early-season showcase for 3-year-old trotters, which will offer an estimated $300,000 in purses over its two divisions. The fillies will go on Thursday, June 3, with the Open division set for the following day.