WASHINGTON, PA, July 20, 2017 — For the harness racing trainers of all Adios colts and geldings not named Huntsville, his conditioner, Ray Schnittker, offers a scary report on the status of his Dan Patch Award winner: "He's probably as good as he's ever been."
Huntsville is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in Saturday's first elimination (race 9) for the $450,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows. Fear The Dragon, another superstar of the 3-year-old pacing division, is the 7-5 pick in the second elimination (race 10). First post is 1:05 PM, with the elims scheduled to begin at approximately 3:45 PM.
The July 29 Adios final anchors a blockbuster afternoon card that features six Grand Circuit stakes. First post that day is noon.
The schedule for elite 3-year-old pacers can be grueling. Those contesting the North America Cup, the Max Hempt, the Meadowlands Pace and the Adios can face up to eight tough races in as many weeks. Knowing that, Schnittker skipped the Hempt; the time off refreshed Huntsville, who returned to win his elimination and the final of the Meadowlands Pace and push his career bankroll over $1.3 million.
Thus, when Schnittker indicates Huntsville is as good as he's ever been, he's referring more to fitness and race-readiness than ability, which is prodigious enough.
Schnittker, who owns the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Wild West Show with Ted Gewertz and Steven Arnold, said he jogged the colt lightly this week.
"After those two miles at the Meadowlands, he doesn't need much," Schnittker said.
Tim Tetrick will pilot Huntsville from post 7, a starting slot that doesn't concern Schnittker.
"With the slanted starting gate they have at The Meadows, post 7 doesn't bother me at all," he said. "I'd like to leave and get a good two-hole trip. You don't want to be on the front all the time — it wears your horse out."
Following the Adios, Schnittker said he would point Huntsville to the Cane Pace.
The first four finishers in each elimination, along with the fifth-place finisher with higher career earnings, return for the Adios final. The connections of the elim winners will choose their post positions for the final, with the other slots drawn randomly.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino