The Friday, June 26 feature at The Meadowlands was a $49,296 high-end conditioned pace for three-year-old males, but it might as well have been written as a Meadowlands Pace Prep, with six of the seven entrants eligible to the track’s signature event, which will have eliminations – if necessary – on Saturday, July 4.
Gentlemans Club, who by virtue of a seventh-place elimination finish failed to qualify for the North America Cup final in his last outing, rebounded in a big way, making a bold statement in Friday's 13th race that he intends to be a prolific Pace player, putting on a powerhouse performance during a mile where he went anything but a good trip on the way to a scorching 1:47.4 score.
The time lowered the Aaron Lambert trainee’s previous fastest winning time by two second and three-fifths, and was the fastest in North America for a three-year-old on the pace thus far in 2026.
“It looks like we’re back on track for the Meadowlands Pace,” said Lambert. “I just hope we can have a bit of luck next week.”
If he has another effort like this one, he won’t need much.
With regular driver Andy McCarthy at The Meadows guiding Endurance to victory in the Currier & Ives, Dexter Dunn was in the sulky and the five-time Dan Patch Driver of the Year hustled Gentlemans Club away from post five going parked around turn one as Lindy Dragonwater (Joe Bongiorno) sprinted away from the field at the start from the rail.
Lindy Dragonwater was on the point at the quarter in :27 and continued to stretch Gentlemans Club out down the backside, as the eventual winner did not clear the lead until just before the half, which went in :54.2.
The action continued fast and furious, as Ubrute (Yannick Gingras) then took the top and took the field into the far turn. Gentlemans Club deuce-popped nearing three-quarters, where Ubrute clung to the lead in 1:21.2.
Gentlemans Club had a full head of steam, but was providing a live tow for a fresh Azrael Blue Chip (Brett Beckwith) as they straightened away in the lane. But Gentleman’s Club, the even-money favourite, had little trouble putting Azrael Blue Chip away, and he did so decisively, going on to an easy 1-3/4-length win after sprinting his final quarter in :26.1 in what was nothing short of a breathtaking performance. Azrael Blue Chip, the 8-5 second choice, claimed the place spot, with Ubrute holding third.
“I couldn’t have been happier with him,” said Lambert. “Dex said he settled down and raced well tonight. He said he seemed to do it very easily.”
Owned by Australia's Anthony Licastro, Gentlemans Club (Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers) recorded his seventh win from just 15 lifetime starts and raised his earnings to $383,221. He returned $4.20 to his backers.
Brett Beckwith led the driver colony with four wins, giving The Big M’s leading reinsman a total of 82 for the year. Joe Bongiorno scored twice, and is right behind Beckwith with 79 victories. Lambert, Per Engblom and Geovany Hernandez each took a pair of walks down victory lane to tie atop the trainer leaderboard.
Track announcer Ken Warkentin treated his followers to a big night at the windows, giving out eight winners.
All-source handle on the 15-race program totalled $2,390,688 USD.
There is no live racing or simulcasting at The Big M on Saturday due to a World Cup soccer match at MetLife Stadium. Live racing resumes on Thursday at 6:35 p.m., the first of three days that The Meadowlands is racing next week (Thursday-Friday-Saturday).
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)