Brandon Blvd stamped himself as the top three-year-old pacing colt in harness racing, winning the $935,915 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace (G1) at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Things heated up quickly in the race when Melillo (driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Brandon Blvd (Dexter Dunn) and Al Papi (Yannick Gingras) left alertly. Melillo was able to secure the lead entering the first turn but felt immediate pressure from Al Papi. The latter tried to save ground but was locked out of a hole by Brandon Blvd.
Al Papi and Brandon Blvd began to attack Melillo through a :26.4 opening quarter. By the stands for the first time, Al Papi had worked his way to the lead, but Brandon Blvd powered past as the field approached a :54.2 half.
Entering the backstretch, Wrenn pulled Melillo and dueled with Brandon Blvd. The pair were noses apart until the three-quarters in 1:21.1, when Brandon Blvd kicked clear. Last week in the eliminations, Melillo had the upper hand on Brandon Blvd, but this week it was reversed.
Gentlemans Club (Andrew McCarthy) came off cover three-wide around the final turn, and Al Papi tried to surge late, but Brandon Blvd proved to be the strongest, with his winning time of 1:48 establishing a divisional track record. Al Papi finished second, back 1-1/4 lengths, followed by North America Cup champion Odds On Mr Mamba (James MacDonald), who rallied to finish third.
“Once he gets to the lead, they’ll never go by him,” said winning trainer Andrew Harris. “He’s all heart and wants it more than anyone else.”
Brandon Blvd, a son of Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith bred by Crawford Farms LLC of Syracuse, N.Y,, pushed his career earnings to $2,657,192 with his 17th win in 24 races. His ownership group, Punisher 11, which consists of Bruce Areman, Andrew Harris and William Pollock, was named in honour of Pollock’s success as a major slow-pitch softball player; The Punisher was his nickname and 11 was his number.
This win is the cherry on top of a season that included victories in the Meadowlands Pace (G1), Max C. Hempt Memorial (G2), and Paul Revere Pace, Somebeachsomewhere and Bluegrass (all G3). He also won the Kentucky Championship Series final and finished second in the North America Cup (G1).
“I think he’s made a case for Horse of the Year now,” Harris said. “I think he’s that good and I think that it’s so amazing that he’s been able to go all year, dancing all the races, and he’s still, at the end of the year, as sharp as he was at the beginning of the year.”
Brandon Blvd gave driver Dexter Dunn his fifth Breeders Crown victory on the weekend, one shy of the record he set in 2024. Harris also won a Breeders Crown on Friday with two-year-old filly pacer Seaside Ubeaut. She is also owned by the Punisher 11 Stable. His first Breeders Crown win was in 2025 with Yo Tillie.
It was recently announced the star will be standing stud at Hanover Shoe Farms in 2027. The Breeders Crown may have been his final start.
“He won’t do the FanDuel,” Harris said. “I’ll talk to the team, but this, more than likely, is the way to go out. Go out on top, I think that’s the way to go, but I’ll talk to the team. Nothing is set in stone, but I would imagine this is the last one for him.”
As the 3-2 choice, Brandon Blvd paid $5 to win.
The Breeders Crown championships can be watched via the live stream below. The Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace can be viewed at the 2:54:30 mark.
The Breeders Crown races were also featured on Fox Sports 2's Saturday broadcast of America's Day at the Races.
(Breeders Crown)
Brandon Blvd
Had Super Chapter simply finished in the money, he probably would have clinched HOTY, but that didn't exactly happen. No horse has ever won HOTY after failing to even pick up a check in its Breeders Crown race. Brandon Blvd had a great 2026 and deservedly should win the award. It's a shame that we won't get to watch him race again in 2027.