Meadowlands: Brandon Blvd holds off pursuers in Meadowlands Pace final

Brandon Blvd took the lead on the backstretch and then held off a slew of challengers in the stretch to capture the Grade 1 $810,000 Meadowlands Pace, for 3-year-olds, in 1:48 1/5 Saturday (July 11) at the Meadowlands.

Al Papi was second in the 50th edition of the race, sponsored by Genova Burns LLC., with Gentleman's Club third and Melillo fourth. All three were just a head behind Brandon Blvd in the photo finish while fifth-place Sweet Lovin Lou was a length back.

It was the first Meadowlands Pace victory for driver Dexter Dunn, as well as for the Punisher 11 Stable ownership group of William Pollock, Bruce Areman and trainer Andrew Harris.

"There's no words," Dunn said about getting his first Pace triumph. "I've got to thank Andy and Bill and Bruce for giving me the drive on Brandon. It's such a historic race, and I've come close before (finishing second by a head in 2019). The emotions are so different when you get to win it. My emotions right now are right up there."

Said Harris, "It's thrilling to get this done. A big huge thank you to Bill and Bruce. They could have gone to anybody, and they gave me a little shot and here we are. I'm sitting here with the Meadowlands Pace in my trophy cabinet. It's the greatest feeling in the world and I can't thank them enough."

Starting from post two, Brandon Blvd got away fourth going into the first turn as Sweet Lovin Lou won a battle with Gentleman's Club and Toby Ornot Toby to lead to the opening quarter in 26 3/5. Dunn kept Brandon Blvd in motion and took the top spot on his way to the half in 54 2/5, but Melillo was on the move first-over, with Al Papi following that cover.

Brandon Blvd and Melillo raced side-by-side around the final turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:21 4/5, before others joined the pursuit down the stretch. Brandon Blvd began to separate himself from Melillo, but Al Papi charged on the outside and Gentleman's Club from between horses to keep the pressure on Brandon Blvd all the way to the wire.

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"He got out of the gate good," Dunn said. "I was in a spot where I could keep moving to the front or come first-over. He's been so strong, so we moved to the front.

"(In the stretch) I was sort of surrounded by horses and they were all traveling fairly good. I had a look over my shoulder, and I knew it was going to be a battle up the straight. To the horse's credit, he really dug deep tonight.

"He probably didn't feel quite as sharp as last week (in his 1:47 3/5 elimination victory). I was a little worried on the last turn, but he's a tough horse and he knows how to win."

Added Harris about the finish, "You've got every thought going through your head, and they're great horses. To show his heart and battle like he does is just a credit to the horse."

Brandon Blvd, a son of Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith, won for the fourth time in six races this season and 11th time in 16 career starts. The colt, bred by Crawford Farms, pushed his lifetime earnings to $1.07 million.

"He's a great horse," Pollock said. "He's well worth the ($425,000 yearling price) investment. We love the horse. He's very aggressive. We've got a super, super driver; couldn't do any better than Dex. I'm very happy about it.

"This was so exciting."

Said Areman, "The big boy dug in pretty good there," before later adding, "It's a little different when you pick the horse out as a baby and you break them and you train them down and develop a champion. Andrew did it, and I'm really proud of him."