Meadowlands: Party with the stars at the Meadowlands Pace

Come on out for the biggest party in harness racing Saturday (July 11) night at The Meadowlands and experience a huge night of fun and top-notch harness racing, featuring the $810,000 Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC.

The program will offer 14 races with purses totaling $2.5 million, and it would be difficult to not conclude that this is the best program in the sport thus far in 2026. Eleven of the dashes are stakes events, so it’s no surprise that many of the sport’s equine standouts will be on the track.

In addition, there will be so much going on, everyone will find something interesting to do or see on the night of the mile oval’s signature event. There will be plenty for youngsters to do as well, so bring the kids.

On your way in the door, pick up your free Meadowlands Pace T-shirt, which commemorates the 50^th edition of the storied stakes event as well as paying tribute to the World Cup soccer tournament.

There are also rides, games, live music and food trucks, so this is one night when you have to be at the track.

For complete information, go here.

Some of the superstar performers on the program include:

·   Del Miller Memorial (3-year-old filly trot) – Nezuko Kamado S, fresh off a 1:52.1 lifetime-best win at The Big M in the Reynolds, tops the first division while the unbeaten Ygritte (five-for-five) takes on Oak Grove Oaks winner Jailbird Jog in division two.

·   Stanley Dancer Memorial (3-year-old colt and gelding trot) – Oak Grove Derby winner Spencer Hanover faces rival Endurance, the 2-5 favorite who ‘Spencer’ defeated in the Bluegrass State, in division one. Apex, the current Hambletonian favorite, tops the second division.

·   Jerry Silverman Memorial (3-year-old filly pace) – Loua Dipa, the millionaire Fan Hanover winner who took the 2025 Breeders Crown and is the defending divisional champion from the Ron Burke barn, is the one to beat.

·   Dorothy Haughton Memorial (open mare pace) – Last week in the Perfect Sting, Chris Ryder stablemates Miki and Minnie and Twin B Joe Fresh finished 1-2 in a memorable battle to the wire in the slop. The duo will go at it again, along with Louies Girl N, who finished fourth in that dash.

·   William Haughton Memorial (open pace) – Defending Older Male Pacer of the Year Ervin Hanover registered his first Big M win after eight failures last week in the Dave Brower and will try to stay perfect in four seasonal starts in the first division. He’ll face Graduate winner Captain Optimistic. Each hit the wire in 1:46.3 in those victories, which is the fastest time of the year in the sport. Captain Albano is looking to rebound in division two after a tough-trip, 11-hole outing in Ervin Hanover’s score.

·   E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity (4-year-old open trot at 1 1/8 miles) – In a thrilling Graduate final one week ago, On To Norway became the fastest trotter in North American harness racing history, stopping the clock in 1:48.3 while taking down defending divisional champion Super Chapter. The duo figure to provide more thrills in this 1 1/8-mile test that sports a bulky 13-horse field.

·   Meadowlands Pace (3-year-old open pace) – Off a powerhouse 1:47.3 lifetime-best win in the lone elimination, Brandon Blvd has been installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite in the $810,000 final. He’ll be driven by five-time Dan Patch Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn and is trained by Andrew Harris, the conditioner for the powerful Punisher 11 Stable. Each is looking for their first Pace wins. Sweet Lovin Lou, who won one of two North America Cup eliminations, closed well for second to ‘Brandon’ when Lasix was added for the first time.

MEADOWLANDS PACE FIELD

This is the field for the Pace, an open event for 3-year-olds, with all changes, with post position, horse, driver, trainer and morning-line odds:

PP – HORSE – DRIVER – TRAINER – ODDS

1 – Toby Ornot Toby – Tim Tetrick – Scott DiDomenico – 20-1

2 – Brandon Blvd – Dexter Dunn – Andrew Harris – 3-5

3 – Lindy Dragonwater – James MacDonald – Ron Burke – 20-1

4 – Gentleman’s Club – Andy McCarthy – Aaron Lambert – 8-1

5 – Melillo – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – Ron Burke – 10-1

6 – Bookie J – Jason Bartlett – Chris Ryder – 12-1

7 – Sweet Lovin Lou – Scott Zeron – Dan Lagace – 6-1

8 – Al Papi – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke – 10-1

9 – Azrael Blue Chip – Brett Beckwith – Besim Odza – 30-1

10 – Ubrute – Todd McCarthy – Ron Burke – 15-1

NOTE: Post time is 10:33 p.m.

Brandon Blvd drew for posts 1-6 for winning the elimination.

Morning-line odds by John Rallis.

-edited release (Dave Little for Meadowlands)