Custard the Dragon draws the rail for the $500,000 Adios
Washington, PA --- Custard The Dragon, who paced to a world record 1:48.1 in last week’s Delvin Miller Adios Eliminations, continued on his roll Wednesday when he drew the rail for Saturday’s $500,000 “Pace for the Orchids” Final and was installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
“My reaction is good,” the favorite’s conditioner, George Teague, Jr., said. Teague won last year’s Adios with Delmarvalous and is looking to become only the fifth trainer to go back to back in the event. “That’s a pretty good draw. The inside definitely will make him more effective.”
Teague also will have a shot with his other Adios finalist, Wind Me Up, who drew post six. Montrell Teague, who at 20 would become the youngest driver ever to win an Adios Final, will pilot Custard The Dragon as he did last week in the fastest mile ever paced by a 3-year-old colt on a five-eighths mile track and the fastest mile ever paced at The Meadows, regardless of age.
The eliminations produced a second world champion -- Alsace Hanover -- whose mile in 1:48.4 was the fastest ever by a 3-year-old gelding pacer on a five-eighths-mile track. He drew post three for trainer Tony O’Sullivan and driver Ron Pierce and was made the 3-1 second choice.
Trainer Ron Burke, whose two finalists, Real Special and Hugadragon, drew posts two and eight, respectively, suggested that the race will be interesting and difficult to handicap thanks to the draw.
“I like the position for Real Special, but it’s a strange set-up,” Burke said. “It will be very difficult for the outside horses to get around both Real Special and Custard The Dragon. I don’t know if they can take that shot.”
The Adios Final, projected to go off at approximately 4 p.m., eastern, will anchor an outstanding 17-race card that will offer more than $1.1 million in purses. Also featured are the $181,000 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for 3-year-old filly pacers, the $120,000 Gov. Lawrence for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, the $50,000 Adios Consolation and four $50,000 Opens.
On Adios Day, The Meadows will guarantee a $10,000 pool for its Pick-4 wager and will add a Superfecta on the Adios Final.
The Adios field, in post position order, with drivers and Roger Huston’s morning line odds (all horses will go as separate wagering interests):
The $500,000 Adios Final
PP – Horse – Driver – Line
1. - Custard The Dragon - Montrell Teague - 2-1
2. - Real Special - Yannick Gingras - 8-1
3. - Alsace Hanover - Ron Pierce - 3-1
4. - Powerful Mist - Dave Palone - 4-1
5. - Rollwithitharry - Tim Tetrick - 6-1
6. - Wind Me Up - David Miller - 12-1
7. - Eighteen - Corey Callahan - 20-1
8. - Hugadragon - Andy Miller - 20-1
9. - Odysseus Bluechip - Brett Miller - 12-1