Jul 20, 2013 3 min read

Lonewolf Currier and Sunfire Blue Chip won Saturday night’s $50,000 eliminations for the Delvin Miller Adios at The Meadows and will lead a field of eight into the $500,000 final next weekend.

Also qualifying were Word Power, Some Kinda Beach, Evenin Of Pleasure, Ultimate Beachboy, Vegas Vacation and Beach Memories.

The draw for the final takes place Tuesday. First post Saturday is 12:20 p.m.

Lonewolf Currier was away fourth but brushed quickly to the front with a quarter-pole move for driver John Campbell.

But his evening’s work was far from done. First, he had to withstand a first-over bid from Sunshine Beach, who eventually broke stride nearing the final turn. Next challenge was the Lightning Lane charge of Ultimate Beachboy, the recent acquisition of the Ron Burke stable. The son of The Panderosa-Ladyking was up to the task, scoring in a swift 1:48.4 to defeat Ultimate Beachboy by a head, with Vegas Vacation third.

“I had to use him a number of times, but he responded very well,” Campbell said. “He got a little tired at the wire, but he had a right to. I’m very impressed with him. He shows some miles where, if you didn’t use him, he would kick home very strong. But it looked like if you took him back here, you would never get in the race. I wanted to give him a good opportunity to get qualified.”

Kevin McDermott, who conditions Lonewolf Currier, said he never doubted his colt’s talent and versatility, even when he finished out of the money in three straight races in late June and early July.

“I’m absolutely pumped,” McDermott said. “He raced awesome. He proved what a good horse he is. We were fighting sickness going into the Meadowlands Pace, but he was a different horse last week (when he won at Harrah’s Philly). I asked John to give him a chance, and it worked out great.”

Lonewolf Currier’s win gives the final a local flavor, as he’s owned by prominent southwestern Pennsylvania businessman and philanthropist Fran Azur. For Campbell, it was the 25th victory in an Adios elimination or final, more than twice as many as the runner-up, Ron Pierce.

Sunfire Blue Chip, leaving from post 7 for driver Dave Palone, was looped from the gate by Some Kinda Beach but persevered until clearing. That, Palone said, was part of the plan.

“That was kind of by strategy,” Palone said. “I wanted to hold my position and not let both outside horses get around me. I had a lot of confidence in him, and the front was the place to be tonight.”

Sunfire Bluechip had just enough to fend off Word Power, who endured a horrible trip and never saw the cones, by a nose. The hard-used Some Kinda Beach was third.

“Wherever he draws in the final should be fine,” Palone said, “unless he draws outside all the speed and you’re forced to surrender too far back. He’s a pretty impressive horse to drive. He gives you a good try.”