Meadowlands: Brandon Blvd, Darlin's Angel don't disappoint in Tompkins-Geers

Meadowlands Pace champion Brandon Blvd returned to the races for the first time since that Grade 1 victory and was dominant in capturing Saturday's $54,150 Tompkins-Geers Stake at the Meadowlands in a career best-equaling mile of 1:47 3/5. Dexter Dunn guided the son of Downbytheseaside to his fifth victory this year in just seven starts.

Frantic Hanover and Tim Tetrick left the quickest, shooting to instant command and forcing Sea Bistro Hanover to take a seat behind. Dunn had positioned Brandon Blvd in fourth as Ubrute, with Yannick Gingras, worked hard to clear the front in a 25 4/5 opening quarter.

With a pair of Ron Burke-trained horses sitting first and second, Dunn was ultra-patient, sitting fourth as the half slowed to 54 1/5 with Ubrute in control. Midway on the final turn Dunn called on the Andrew Harris-trained Brandon Blvd, and he quickly gained even traction with Ubrute, with the pair hitting three-quarters in 1:21 3/5.

Brandon Blvd cruised on by as Sea Bistro Hanover, with Todd McCarthy, edged off the pylons to pick up his cover but was not gaining. A final quarter of 26 seconds was more than enough to keep Brandon Blvd clear over the wire. Sea Bistro Hanover finished second, with Frantic Hanover skimming the pylons for third.

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Owned by Punisher 11, Brandon Blvd returned $2.40 to win in his prep race for the August 8 Cane Pace at the Meadowlands.

As far as looking ahead trainer Harris said, "He's super-sharp coming into next week so I'm excited."

Darlin's Angel and driver Lauren Tritton made easy work of the $52,500 Tompkins-Geers division for sophomore pacing fillies, going down the road in a personal-best 1:49 2/5 mile. The Hot Lead Farm-owned homebred is a daughter of Captaintreacherous and champion Darlin's Delight.

Tritton took control of the race before the quarter was reached in 26 2/5, moving ahead of Car Keys with Dexter Dunn in the sulky. Darlin's Angel carved out soft middle-half fractions as the six other pacing fillies were content to ride the pylons and chase with a half in 56 seconds and three-quarters posted in 1:23 4/5.

A potential stretch battle never ensued as Tritton urged the Juan Cano-trained filly on, and she quickly sprinted away, posting a 25 3/5 final quarter to finish the mile in style. Car Keys finished second with Sunny Station third.

It was the fourth win in six starts for Darlin's Angel, who returned $2.60 as the prohibitive choice.

"She's a nice filly. She always gives 100 percent," said Tritton following the victory. "Juan's done a great job with her."