Since The Meadows starts nine across, Well Said will start from the extreme outside. In his Adios elimination, he left from post 5 and set an all-age track record of 1:49. Well Said has captured his division's only two million-dollar races and has banked more than $1.8 million.

His trainer, Steve Elliott, expressed no special concern when informed of the draw.

"That's okay. It is what it is," Elliott said. "It's only a starting point; anyone could have drawn it. It won't change my strategy--I'm not driving."

The other elimination winners, If I Can Dream and Mr. Wiggles, drew posts 2 and 7, respectively. The field includes two wagering entries--a three-horse entry (School Kids, Straight Shooting, If I Can Dream) sent out by trainer Tracy Brainard, and George Teague, Jr.'s two-horse entry, Mr Wiggles and Chasin Racin.

The Adios is the centerpiece of a powerhouse card that also includes the $225,000 Quinton Patterson for 3-year-old pacing fillies, the $100,000 Gov. Lawrence for freshman colt pacers, the inaugural $100,000 Catherine Baker Knoll for 2-yearold pacing fillies, and the $50,000 Adios consolation.

First post is 12:15pm. The complete Adios field in post position order (PP, horse, trainer):

1. Vintage Master, Jimmy Takter; 2. If I Can Dream,  Tracy Brainard; 3. Ideal Danny, Tony Alagna; 4. Keep It Real, Joey Shea; 5. Chasin Racin, George Teague, Jr; 6. Schoolkids, Tracy Brainard; 7. Mr. Wiggles, George Teague, Jr; 8. Straight Shooting, Tracy Brainard; 9. Well Said, Steve Elliott.

Evan PATTAK