by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — A couple of days after the fireworks explode in the air, the action moves to the track where 16 3-year-old colts — seven by New Jersey stallions — will compete for 10 spots on the gate in the $600,000 Meadowlands Pace.

The eliminations for the Meadowlands’ signature event for 3-year-old pacers are on Saturday (July 7) with the top five in each of two $50,000 divisions advancing to the final on Saturday (July 14).

In the first of two eight-horse eliminations, carded as the fifth race, the field includes three sons of Rocknroll Hanover — the Hempt winner A Rocknroll Dance, Shakerattlenrock and Simply Business — as well as one by Cam’s Card Shark, Hurrikane Kingcole.

In the second division, the sixth race, the New Jersey-bred reps include Art Rooney winner Pet Rock and New Jersey Sire Stakes champ Time To Roll, both by Rocknroll Hanover, and I Fought Dalaw by Western Ideal.

Sweet Lou, the winner of three of four starts this year and 13 of 16 lifetime, has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite in the first division while the slight 5-2 nod goes to North American Cup winner Thinking Out Loud in the second division.

The draws in post position order with early driver, trainer and morning line odds:

Fifth Race — $50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination
1. Bettor’s Edge, Tim Tetrick, Linda Toscano, 5-1
2. Sweet Lou, Dave Palone, Ron Burke, 9-5
3. Shakerattlenroll, Jim Morrill Jr., Robert Horowitz, 15-1
4. Allstar Legend, Brian Sears, George Teague, Jr., 5-1
5. A Rocknroll Dance, Yannick Gingras, Jim Mulinix, 3-1
6. State Treasurer, David Miller, Ian Moore, 10-1
7. Simply Business, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter, 12-1
8. Hurrikane Kingcole, George Brennan, John McDermott, 4-1
(Better’s Edge and Allstar Legend are a Brittany Farms coupled entry)

Sixth Race — $50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination
1. Pet Rock, Brian Sears, Virgil Morgan Jr., 6-1
2. Heston Blue Chip, Tim Tetrick, Linda Toscano, 9-2
3. Thinking Out Loud, Randy Waples, Bob McIntosh, 5-2
4. Mel Mara, George Brennan, Tony Alagna, 8-1
5. Time To Roll, Andy Miller, Jimmy Takter, 4-1
6. Hillbilly Hanover, Ron Pierce, Nifty Norman, 15-1
7. Bolt The Duer, Mark MacDonald, Peter Foley, 7-2
8. I Fought Dalaw, David Miller, Sam DePinto, 12-1