WILKES-BARRE -- An electronic wagering system malfunction delayed the races at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for 44 minutes yesterday, but Shadow Play, coming off a world-record in the eliminations eight days earlier, made up for some of the lost time by winning the $350,000 Adios Pace in a strong 1 minute, 50⁴/₅ seconds over a fast track.

The 42nd edition of the Adios, jewel race of the Meadows in Washington County, was moved to Pocono Downs for this year after the Meadows grandstand was demolished to make room for a new racing facility and casino. The complex is expected to be finished in time for the 2009 edition of the race founded by the late Hall of Famer Delvin Miller.

Shadow Play's victory by a half-length over early pace-setter Major General and another 3³/₄ lengths back to longshot Lonestar Legend was the first Adios triumph in the career of driver David Miller, who said he grew up in Ohio watching the Adios.

The Adios triumph also was the self-described biggest in harness racing for a sports figure better known for his accomplishments in hockey: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Serge Savard.

"I've been in harness racing for 15 to 20 years, but I got out of it for a while," said Savard, who drove to Pocono Downs from Canada Friday. "I got back in last year and got very, very lucky. I never got a big win like this before."

Neither had another part-owner, Dr. Ian Moore, a veterinarian on Prince Edward Island who flew in by private plane yesterday morning.

"I quit school when I was 14 and took a job caring for a 2-year-old colt at the Meadows," Moore said.

A week ago Friday, Shadow Play won his Adios qualifying elimination in 1:48²/₅, a world record for 3-year-old colts and geldings on a five-eighth mile track. Some wondered if he could bounce back from such a taxing effort on a hot, humid day on a lightning-fast track.

Miller said he also worried about it during the week, but his concerns vanished when he got into the sulky with his son of The Panderosa.

He sat in fourth place for the first quarter mile, which Major General covered in 25²/₅ seconds, and then moved to the front where he stayed the rest of the way. He hit the half-mile mark in 53³/₅ seconds and the three-quarters mile in 1:21 and then coasted home.

Asked if he was worried because Major General stayed close through the stretch, the winning driver said no

"I was feeling pretty good," he said. "By the three-quarter [pole] I felt pretty safe ... I didn't think they were making up any ground on me."

Mickey Burke trainee Atochia, the only Meadows-based horse in the field, finished fourth after starting out of the extreme outside nine-hole.

Shadow Play, the even-money favorite, returned $4, $3.20 and $2.80 on a $2 bet. Major General paid $6, $4.80, and Lonestar Legend returned $6 to show.

NOTES -- In the $50,000 Adios Consolation, Brian Sears took 7-5 co-favorite Moon Beam to the lead in the second quarter and held off a stiff challenge by Trade Editor, the other 7-5 choice, to win by about a length and a half. Trade Editor settled for third, while Allamerican Major got up for second with Meadows driving leader Dave Palone in the sulky. ... Meadows-based horsemen also made their mark in the three $56,415 divisions of the Adioo Volo, the 3-year-old fillies' equivalent of the Adios A. ... Palone rolled out of the seven-hole with Up Front Bethann to win the first division. The filly is trained by Ohio-based Kelly O'Donnell, who races frequently at the Meadows. ... Ron Pierce brought JK Majorette up the passing lane to pass Pavla Hanover to win the second division. Ladycino was third. The third division was won by Pasta Lavista over favorite Native Bride in 1:50⁴/₅.