North American News

The North American harness racing spotlight this week shifts from Brandon Blvd’s thrilling Meadowlands Pace triumph to Sunday’s star studded Spirit of Massachusetts card at Plainridge Park.

Brandon Blvd digs deep in Meadowlands Pace thriller

Brandon Blvd produced a gritty performance to capture the 50th edition of the $810,000 Grade 1 Meadowlands Pace at The Meadowlands on Saturday night.

The Andrew Harris-trained son of Downbytheseaside was sent forward by Dexter Dunn during the early stages before taking control approaching the halfway point.

Brandon Blvd reached the half in :54.2, but there was little opportunity for Dunn to catch his breath as Melillo moved up to apply pressure on the outside.

The pair raced together around the final turn and passed three quarters in 1:21.4 before the challengers began lining up behind them.

Melillo refused to go away, Al Papi launched his bid wider on the track and Gentleman’s Club searched for room between horses.

For a brief moment, it appeared Brandon Blvd could be swallowed up by the chasing pack.

Instead, he dug deep.

Brandon Blvd held on in a blanket finish, stopping the clock in 1:48.1. Al Papi finished second, with Gentleman’s Club third and Melillo fourth. All three were beaten by just a head, while Sweet Lovin Lou finished only a length from the winner in fifth.

The victory gave New Zealand born Dunn his first Meadowlands Pace title after he went agonisingly close when finishing second by a head in 2019.

It was also a career defining result for Harris and owners William Pollock and Bruce Areman, who race Brandon Blvd under their Punisher 11 Stable banner.

The victory was his fourth from six starts this season and his 11th from 16 career appearances. The $425,000 yearling purchase has now earned more than $1 million.

 

Lexus Kody leads Spirit of Massachusetts showdown

Seven quality trotters will contest Sunday’s $300,000 Grade 2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot.

The ninth edition of the feature has attracted four millionaires, a defending champion and one of the hottest trotters racing anywhere in North America.

Heading the field is 2025 Dan Patch Trotter of the Year Lexus Kody.

The Ron Burke-trained star arrives after equalling The Meadowlands track record with a stunning 1:49.4 victory in his latest appearance.

Lexus Kody has drawn perfectly in barrier one for Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and should receive every opportunity to control the race from the inside.

Burke also holds a powerful second card with the unbeaten Antognoni S.

The Swedish import enjoyed a career-best season last year, winning 16 races and earning just under $500,000. He has carried that form into 2026, winning all five starts this season and extending his overall winning streak to eight.

Antognoni S will start from barrier four with Yannick Gingras in the sulky and looks the obvious threat to his more decorated stablemate.

However, this is far from a two-horse race.

Defending champion Up Your Deo returns after producing a major upset in last year’s Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, defeating a strong field in 1:51.

The Ake Svanstedt-trained millionaire showed he is ready to defend his crown when finishing just a neck behind Lexus Kody in that record-equalling 1:49.4 mile at The Meadowlands.

Up Your Deo has drawn barrier six, meaning Svanstedt may need to make an early decision rather than allow Lexus Kody to dictate the race from the pole.

Aetos Kronos S adds further international quality to the field.

The Marcus Melander-trained son of Bold Eagle finished third behind Lexus Kody and Up Your Deo in their most recent clash. He recorded six victories last season and owns a lifetime mark of 1:49.4, set at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Dexter Dunn takes the drive from barrier seven and will be looking to carry his Meadowlands Pace momentum into another major North American feature.

The field is completed by Hey Porter, A New Leader and Security Protected, all of whom have already raced at Plainridge Park this season and bring valuable experience of the Massachusetts track.

$300,000Spirit of Massachusetts Trot

1 Lexus Kody (Archangel) – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – Ron Burke

2 Hey Porter (Bar Hopping) – Brett Beckwith – Enrico Robinson

3 A New Leader (Trixton) – Mitchell Cushing – Mitchell Cushing

4 Antognoni S (Father Patrick)- Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke

5 Security Protected (Father Patrick)- Cory Stratton – Cory Stratton

6 Up Your Deo (Walner) – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt

7 Aetos Kronos S (Bold Eagle)- Dexter Dunn – Marcus Melander

 

Twin B Joe Fresh the Clara Barton headline act

The $150,000 Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace provides an outstanding supporting feature, with superstar mare Twin B Joe Fresh heading the six-horse field.

The Chris Ryder-trained champion is closing in on $3 million in career earnings and comes into Sunday’s assignment in outstanding form.

Twin B Joe Fresh has won her past two starts in identical 1:48.4 times, including her third consecutive Dorothy Haughton Memorial victory at The Meadowlands.

She has drawn barrier four for regular driver Dexter Dunn and will be a commanding favourite to add another major victory to her remarkable record.

Unreasonable appears the leading danger after chasing Twin B Joe Fresh home in her past two appearances. She reduced the margin to half a length in the Dorothy Haughton after producing a blistering :25.2 final quarter.

The field also includes the Burke-trained pair Rodeo Drive Deo and Champagne Room, along with Rocket Deo and Talk Curdy To Me.

$150,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace

1 Rodeo Drive Deo (Captaintreacherous)- Yannick Gringras – Ron Burke

2 Talk Curdy To Me (Betterthancheddar)- Brett Beckwith – Enrico Robinson

3 Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe)- Dexter Dunn – Chris Ryder

4 Unreasonable (Huntsville)- Todd McCarthy – Andrew Harris

5 Rocket Deo (Captaintreacherous)- Tim Tetrick – Brett Pelling

6 Champagne Room (Papi Rob Hanover) – Tim Tetrick – Ron Burke

The Clara Barton is scheduled as race seven at approximately 4 p.m., followed by the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot in race eight at approximately 4:20 p.m.

 

by Bevan Greig for Harnesslink