East Rutherford, NJ — 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 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.