East Rutherford, NJ — Friday night’s (June 26) feature at the Meadowlands was a high-end conditioned pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings, 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.
Gentleman’s Club, who, by virtue of a seventh-place finish, failed to qualify for the North America Cup final in his last outing, rebounded in a big way, making a bold statement in the 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 2-3/5 seconds, and was the fastest in North America for a 3-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 Gentleman’s Club away from post 5 going parked around turn one as Lindy Dragonwater 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 Gentleman’s 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 remained fast and furious, as Ubrute then took the top and took the field into the far turn. Gentleman’s Club deuce-popped nearing three-quarters, where Ubrute clung to the lead in 1:21.2.
Gentleman’s Club now had a full head of steam but was providing a live tow for a fresh Azrael Blue Chip as they straightened away in the lane.
But Gentleman’s Club, the even-money favorite, 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 second 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 Anthony Licastro, Gentleman’s Club (a colt by Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers) recorded his seventh win from just 15 lifetime starts and raised his earnings to $272,581. He returned $4.20 to his backers.
A LITTLE MORE: Brett Beckwith led the driver colony with four wins, giving the Big M’s leading pilot 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 totaled $2,390,688. … There is no live racing or simulcasting at the Big M on Saturday (June 27) due to a World Cup soccer match at New York New Jersey Stadium. … Live racing resumes Thursday (July 2) at 6:35 p.m., the first of three days that the Meadowlands is racing next week (Thursday-Friday-Saturday).