Licastro's latest dream runs through the Meadowlands Pace

Australian owner Tony Licastro has already captured many of harness racing’s biggest prizes at home, but another international milestone awaits when Gentleman’s Club (Downbytheseaside) lines up in Saturday night’s $810,000 Meadowlands Pace at The Meadowlands.

Licastro has become one of Australia’s most prominent owners through stars such as Don Hugo (Art Major), while also playing a significant role away from the racetrack through his successful Ultra Air Conditioning business and long standing support of Club Menangle.

Harness racing first came into Licastro’s life through his wife’s family and what began as a casual interest quickly developed into a lifelong passion after his first horse, Smiley Adam, won on debut.

“I’ve always loved harness racing because you’re so close to the horses and the people involved,” Licastro said.

“The relationships you build with the trainers and watching the horses develop is what makes the sport so special.”

Many of Licastro’s horses carry the distinctive ‘Don’ prefix, a tribute to his Italian heritage where the title is traditionally used as a mark of respect.

No horse has worn those colours more proudly than Don Hugo, winner of the TAB Eureka, Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion, victories Licastro describes as dream moments in his racing journey.

Now another exciting chapter could be written on the other side of the world.

Gentleman’s Club was purchased for US$120,000 at the Lexington Yearling Sale and showed enough ability as a two-year-old to stamp himself as one of North America’s leading prospects.

The son of Downbytheseaside capped his juvenile campaign with an upset victory in the prestigious Governor’s Cup at The Meadowlands, convincing trainer Aaron Lambert he belonged among the elite.

“I think we really saw him at his best over the mile track,” Lambert said after that breakthrough victory.

After a winter break with Hall of Fame horsemen Andy and Julie Miller, Gentleman’s Club returned to Lambert’s stable bigger and stronger ahead of his three-year-old campaign.

The colt announced he was ready for the sport’s biggest stage with a breathtaking performance at The Meadowlands on June 26.

After missing a place in the North America Cup final, Gentleman’s Club bounced back in emphatic style, overcoming a tough trip to score in a blistering 1:47.4, the fastest mile by a three-year-old pacer in North America this season.

GENTLEMAN’S CLUB REPLAY

The time lowered the Aaron Lambert trainee’s previous fastest winning time by more than two seconds, and was the fastest in North America for a 3-year-old  thus far in 2026.

Driven by five time Dan Patch Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn, Gentleman’s Club was forced to work hard through the opening half before taking control, only to be challenged again approaching the final bend. He responded in devastating fashion, sprinting home in 26.1 seconds to win decisively.

“It looks like we’re back on track for the Meadowlands Pace,” Lambert said after the victory. “I just hope we can have a bit of luck next week.”

The performance booked his place in last week’s Meadowlands Pace elimination where he again showed his class. Racing against one of the strongest fields assembled this season, Gentleman’s Club finished a creditable fourth behind impressive winner Brandon Blvd to comfortably qualify for Saturday night’s $810,000 final.

With seven wins from 16 starts and more than US$270,000 in earnings, the son of Downbytheseaside now gets his chance on one of harness racing’s biggest stages.

For Licastro, victory in the Meadowlands Pace would add one of North America’s most prestigious trophies to an already remarkable résumé and it would also further cement the Australian owner’s growing influence on the international harness racing stage.

Closer to home, Licastro also has Don Hunter (Huntsville) chasing Group 1 success in the A$500,000 Protostar at Albion Park on Saturday night. The exciting two-year-old has won his last three starts and, despite drawing wide, shapes as one of the leading contenders after an outstanding Albion Park trial victory in 1:52.9 on June 30. If he can overcome the draw and secure the right run, Licastro could find himself celebrating major victories in both Australia and North America on the same weekend.

 

by Harnesslink Media