by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Auckland Reactor’s first trip around a racetrack in the U.S. was a success. The New Zealand star won his stateside qualifying debut by two lengths over Bullville Powerful in 1:53 Thursday (April 29) at Meadowlands Racetrack.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Auckland Reactor relaxes in the Meadowlands paddock prior to his qualifying race on Thursday.

Bullville Powerful led Auckland Reactor through fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1. Auckland Reactor, who won 25 of 31 lifetime races in New Zealand and earned more than $1 million, paced the final quarter-mile in :26.3 with Brian Sears at the lines.

“He had a lot of kick coming home, so I’m very pleased,” said Sears, who sat behind Auckland Reactor for the first time. “He sat in the two hole the whole way and I tipped him out halfway down the lane and he had plenty of pace right through the wire.”

Auckland Reactor, a 6-year-old son of Mach Three-Atomic Lass, was New Zealand’s Horse of the Year in 2009. He is owned by the Peter Heffering-led AR Stable.

“He’s trained down very well ever since he got here,” trainer Kelvin Harrison said. “He was sick when he first got here, but got over it quick. He’s had a chance to get used to the way things are here. He’s in top shape. His potential is really unlimited. If he stays sound and healthy, he could be a great one.”

Harrison plans to qualify Auckland Reactor several more times before sending him to his first stakes race, June 13 in the $200,000 Bettor’s Delight at Tioga Downs. He also is eligible to the Ben Franklin Pace at Harrah’s Chester as well as stakes at the Meadowlands and in Canada.

Auckland Reactor’s arrival adds to an already deep older pacing division. Defending champion Won The West, Shark Gesture, Bettor Sweet, Foiled Again and Winbak Speed all earned more than $500,000 last season.

“There are some really good horses out there,” Sears said. “I’m sure he can do battle with them, but to say he’s going to come over here and dominate is a lot to ask. There are some nice horses out there and hopefully he can be one of them.”

Also among those qualifying Thursday were 3-year-old filly trotters Poof She’s Gone, Costa Rica and Spicy Wings; older trotters Corleone Kosmos, Lanson and Neighsay Hanover; 3-year-old filly pacers Put On A Show, Dancinwiththestarz, and Lover Of Art; and 3-year-old male pacers One More Laugh and He’s Gorgeous.