Jeff Snyder shooting for fourth Adios with Well Said

It's called the Delvin Miller Adios, but a certain owner may be excused if he thinks of the race as the Jeff Snyder Adios. That's because Snyder already has won the Pace for the Orchids three times as an owner, and on Saturday at The Meadows, he will be gunning for an Adios grandslam with Well Said, thus far the cream of the 3-year-old pacing crop.

 

The final goes for $677,665, the biggest final-heat purse in Adios history and the richest single race in the annals of Pennsylvania Standardbred racing.

 

As an owner or co-owner, Snyder captured the Adios with Cams Card Shark (1994), Million Dollar Cam (2002) and Village Jiffy (2005). Of the three, he regards the victory by Cams Card Shark as the most gratifying.

 

"The first time you win a race like the Adios, it's exciting," Snyder said. "Actually, any time you win a race like the Adios, it's exciting. The people at The Meadows are really great harness fans. I always try to keep multiple horses eligible to the Adios.

 

"We've had a lot of good luck there. . .and whatever else enters into it. I hope well be just as effective Saturday."

 

Snyder, who is partnered with Lothlorien in Well Said, remembers being overwhelmed by the son of Western Hanover-Must See when the youngster walked through the ring at the Standardbred Horse Sale at Harrisburg.

 

"He was perfect, the best-looking colt at auction that year," he said. "He had the pedigree, and he looked real good in the field. We had confidence in him right from the start. He's been a dream come true."

 

Indeed, Well Said handily captured the North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace his divisions only million-dollar races and he paced a track record 1:49 in winning his Adios elimination. He has banked more than $1.8 million in 19 career starts, meaning that hes earned, on average, nearly $100,000 each time he's raced.

 

But the Snyder Adios mojo was temporarily out of order at the draw when Well Said was saddled with post 9. Trainer Steve Elliott, who won the 2000 Adios with Riverboat King, shook off the misfortune. He also indicated Well Said's demanding recent race schedule has not drained the colt.

 

"He has only seven starts this year, so hes fresh as a daisy," Elliott said. "He hasn't ever been tired. I'm not changing anything this week. I learned a long time ago when they're good, leave them alone. Hopefully, well stay a little lucky. We'll probably ship Friday morning. We like to keep them in their own stalls where theyre comfortable."

 

Away from the track, Snyder operates Etna Products, a gift and houseware distributing business that was founded by his father in 1945 and now employs Snyder's son and daughter as well. The company was named for Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily, but it is Snyder's equine business that is erupting now.

 

"Etna has been good to us all these years," Snyder said, "but it's a tough retail environment right now. Maybe I should say I'm in the horse business now." (The Meadows)