by Kevin Decker, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Vegas Vacation, fresh from a three-week vacation following a pair of narrow losses to Captaintreacherous, leads a field of 18 colts and geldings into the $600,000 (est.) Delvin Miller Adios at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Two $50,000 eliminations are set for Saturday (July 20), with the top four finishers from each elim returning for the final of the “Pace for the Orchids” on Saturday (July 27).

First post July 20 is 6:55 p.m., with the elims set for races six and seven. The Adios Day card gets underway at 12:20 p.m. and will include a $50,000 Adios Consolation.

Vegas Vacation was a neck loser to Captaintreacherous in both an elimination and the final of the Max Hempt Memorial at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Following the frustrating loss in the final, trainer Casie Coleman gave the Bettor’s Delight-Don’t You Smile gelding some down time.

“He wasn’t eligible for the Meadowlands Pace, so I gave him a little time at the farm,” Coleman said. “I trained him up over the weekend, and he worked very well.”

Vegas Vacation drew the rail in race seven.

Coleman indicated she won’t miss Captaintreacherous, undefeated this year and harness racing’s top rated horse, who didn’t enter the Adios.

“Not having to face him doesn’t hurt my feelings a bit,” she said.

Trainers Ron Burke (Dedi’s Dragon, Ultimate Beachboy) and Jimmy Takter (Source Of Pride, Sunfire Blue Chip) each are represented by a pair of Adios entrants.

Each Adios card is rich with supporting stakes and attractive wagering options offered in co-operation with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. On July 20, The Meadows will offer a Pick 4 (races 4-7) with a guaranteed $7,500 pool. In addition, the track on July 20 will conduct a “Pick & Pray” handicapping contest, with a free berth in the 2014 World Harness Handicapping Contest awarded to the winner.

On July 27, special wagering options include a $7,500 guaranteed Pick-4 (races 4-7); a $15,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 (races 9-12), and a $25,000 guaranteed superfecta on race 12, the Adios final.

The fields for the Adios eliminations, in post position order and with tentative driver assignments:

Race 6
1. Dew N Doughnuts–Mike Wilder
2. Dedi’s Dragon–Matt Kakaley
3. Twilight Bonfire–John Campbell/Brett Miller
4. Evenin Of Pleasure–Brett Miller
5. Hail The Taxi–John Campbell
6. Martini Hanover–Brian Sears
7. Sunfire Blue Chip–Dave Palone
8. Some Kinda Beach–Andy Miller
9. Word Power–Jim Morrill, Jr.

Race 7
1. Vegas Vacation–Brian Sears
2. Resistance Futile–Andrew McCarthy
3. Sunshine Beach–George Brennan
4. Eddie Sweat–Dave Palone
5. Good Day Mate–Jim Morrill, Jr.
6. Lonewolf Currier–Dave Palone
7. Ultimate Beachboy–Dave Palone
8. Source Of Pride–Dave Palone
9. Beach Memories–Corey Callahan