Another first as Dexter continues hot streak in North America

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

There was another first in the stellar driving career of Dexter Dunn over the weekend.

The 10-time Kiwi champion took out the 50th running of the Group 1 $US800,000 Meadowlands Pace for the three-year-olds at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In his first win in the prestigious race, Dunn just prevailed in a blanket finish with Brandon Blvd in 1:48.2. 

"There's no words," Dunn said post race, "It's such an historic race and I've come close before. The emotions are so different when you get to win it."

Dunn had finished second with Bettor's Wish in the race in 2019.

For Brandon Blvd it was his fourth win in six races this season and his 11th in 16 career starts, with earnings now over $US1m.

Co-owner William Pollock was elated.

"He's a great horse," he told the USTA post race, "he's well worth the ($425,000 yearling price) investment. We love the horse. He's very aggressive. We've got a super super driver, couldn't do any better than Dex. I'm very happy about it."

Dunn had three wins on the day. Top class mare Twin B Joe Fresh, who he co-owns, also won the $US165,750 Dorothy Haughton Memorial for the third year in a row.

The 2024 Horse of the Year scooted away to win by half a length in 1:48.8. She is also part-owned by ex-pat Kiwi trainer Chris Ryder. She is now on the verge  of topping $US3m in stakes. She is currently at $US2,990,744.

Dunn's third winner on the day was Apex for trainer Marcus Melander.

The huge day at The Big M featured 14 races, with Dunn complementing his three wins with four seconds and two thirds. 

He's been on a big winning streak of late, including five wins in a day at Oak Grove in Kentucky earlier in the month.

Dunn, a five-time Driver of the Year in North America, now has 98 wins for the year with stakes earnings of $4.3m. He has leaped into third overall behind Jason Bartlett ($6.2m and 335 wins) and Yannick Gingras ($4.67m and 144 wins).