Meadowlands: Christmas in July for Brandon Blvd in $810K Pace?

Those living in Freehold, New Jersey know Brandon Blvd as the hot spot for spectacular Christmas lights – 14,000 of them according to bigredbulb.com. While only the hardiest of holiday aficionados are contemplating decorations in July, there will be plenty of attention for Brandon Blvd this Saturday as the block’s namesake is the expected heavy favorite in the $810,000 G1 Meadowlands Pace.

“That’s our family’s block,” said William Pollock, principal owner of Punisher 11 stable, which also includes Bruce Areman and trainer Andrew Harris. “Andrew thought of [the name].”

The signature race at The Meadowlands, which is celebrating its 50th edition this year, the Pace will offer the richest purse since 2012 when the race ended a 23-year run of going for at least $1,000,000. The Meadowlands Pace is the featured attraction on a 14-race card offering 11 stakes events highlighting the best horses 3 years old and up.

⇒ Insider Picks and Analysis for the the 11 Meadowlands Pace Night stakes

⇒ Get FREE Harness Eye PPs for the Saturday Meadowlands Pace card

⇒ Bet $50+, Get up to $50 at The Meadowlands Saturday

⇒ Watch Derick Giwner & Jay Bergman discuss the $810K Meadowlands Pace

⇒ Matt Rose and Derick Giwner discuss the early $50,000 GTD Pick 4

⇒ Read Derick Giwner's full-card Saturday Analysis

The Meadowlands Pace represents the second of five Grade 1 stakes for 3-year-old male pacers in 2026. The first round went to Odds On Mr Mamba in the North America Cup as Brandon Blvd was dealt a difficult post (10) and an even tougher first-over trip when second by a half-length.

This marquee race found Odds On Mr Mamba on the sidelines as a single elimination was contested last Saturday and Brandon Blvd took advantage. The son of Downbytheseaside followed cover to the three-eighths, brushed to the front and powered home in 26 2/5 for the sharp 1:47 3/5 score over Sweet Lovin Lou, who rallied from third-over to be a willing second.

“Brandon was well within himself and finished with the [ear] plugs in. It was a super-sharp effort and [driver] Dex [Dunn] was able to shut him down coming for home to save a little for the final,” said Harris. “I’m pretty pumped with the whole effort by him and Dex.”

Brandon Blvd, who hasn’t been worse than second in five starts this year and owns a stellar 15-10-4-0 career record with $685,977 in earnings, earned the right to an inside post with his elimination victory and landed the two-hole as the 3-5 morning-line favorite with Dexter Dunn once again listed to drive. For Pollock, who has invested plenty of money and seen good success with horses like 2025 Dan Patch winner Yo Tillie, a Pace win would be extra special.

“It would mean quite a lot to us as it is a prestigious race and also it would show us that we are on the right track with the process we decided on in the very beginning,” said Pollock.

Off the good elimination mile, Sweet Lovin Lou (post seven) was installed as the 6-1 second choice. Scott Zeron, who picked up the drive in the North America Cup final and kept it for the Meadowlands Pace, was encouraged by what he saw from the bike last week.

“I couldn’t have been happier with his performance on Saturday night. To finish as strong as he did into a headwind shows he’s in top form heading into the final,” said Zeron of the Dan Lagace trainee.

Arguably the most disappointing elimination participant was Gentleman’s Club, who was the 5-1 second choice behind Brandon Blvd in the race. The Aaron Lambert-trained colt followed good cover but couldn’t make a dent in his trailing margin late in the mile while finishing fourth beaten 3 1/2 lengths. That said, Lambert had a different view of the performance.

“We were happy with the effort last week. We achieved what we wanted to in making the final,” said Lambert. “We will look to race him a little more aggressively this week.”

Andrew McCarthy drives Gentleman’s Club (8-1) from post four.

Driver Yannick Gingras had an interesting decision as he was listed on three of the four Ron Burke-trained horses – Melillo (post five), Al Papi (post eight) and Ubrute (post 10).

“I’m going to go with Al Papi,” said Gingras on Wednesday evening. “The horse has been really sharp and even though the post isn’t great, I do think he’s handy enough to put himself in a spot to win.”

Al Papi, who was recently second in the Messenger Pace at Yonkers and fourth in the North America Cup before that, took a bye to make the final. He is 10-1 on the morning line.

Ubrute made two early moves to secure the lead in the elimination but still got shuffled back to third on the rail before rallying for the show money in the stretch. Gingras admitted the post is the only reason he elected to look elsewhere.

“He actually raced great and I think he’s coming into great form,” said Gingras about the 15-1 early choice Ubrute.

Todd McCarthy picked up the drive on Ubrute while Ronnie Wrenn Jr. will drive Melillo (10-1).

Completing the field are Toby Ornot Toby (Tim Tetrick, post one, 20-1), Lindy Dragonwater (James MacDonald, post three, 20-1), Bookie J (Jason Bartlett, post six, 12-1) and Azrael Blue Chip (Brett Beckwith, post nine, 30-1).

Other on-track highlights on the Meadowlands Saturday program that begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) are the $425,000 G1 Hambletonian Maturity for 4-year-old trotters featuring recent North American record-setter On To Norway (1:48 3/5) and the $165,750 G2 Dorothy Haughton Memorial featuring a rematch of stablemates Miki And Minnie and Twin B Joe Fresh. The Chris Ryder trainees finished just a neck apart in last Saturday’s G3 Perfect Sting.

Bettors will have plenty to keep them occupied during the evening with two $50,000 guaranteed Pick 4 wagers (Races 6-9 and 10-13) and a few of new menu items. The track is adding a mid-double combining races eight and nine, a $3 Pick 3 on the final three races and a $5 late double to close out the night.