You were purchased for $3.5 million. You smashed records. You're virtually touted as the second coming and one of the best horses in the history of harness racing. You're asked to back up that lofty claim by taking on the best pacers in the world. You debut with a mile in 1:49, faster than you've ever paced before. You finish sixth against a group of horses that might not even be the best on the grounds.
Auckland Reactor has been hyped and built up more than any horse this century. More than Somebeachsomewhere, more than Muscle Hill. He's a true international media sensation, but it begs the question: Can their best compete with the best here? Sure, we've seen some of the top talent make the jump from New Zealand and Australia and compete here. Cardigan Bay is the prime example. Auckland Reactor has been mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Cardigan Bay, regarded as one of the top pacers to set foot on the track when he retired in the 1960s.
As Real Joke paced one of the fastest miles in Meadowlands history, a mile that ranks him with greats like Jennas Beach Boy and Lis Mara, I ask myself if more should have been expected of Auckland Reactor in this race. At least 2009's thoroughbred Horse Of The Year Rachel Alexandra finished second earlier this year in her much publicized seasonal debut. The Reactor, bet down to 6-5 as the public choice, fizzled and didn't even get a cheque. And no disrespect to the horses entered in last night's Invitational, but Real Joke didn't get pressured by the likes of Shark Gesture or Won The West - arguably the two top aged pacers on the planet at this point in time.
I'm sure that some people looked at the name of the winner and wondered who was the 'real joke' in that race...not me. For the record, I'm not on the Auckland Reactor bandwagon. But I think it's too early to say I won't be getting on. The race that should go further in assessing his rank in this division comes up on June 13 at Tioga Downs, where some of the top free-for-allers have indicated they will contest the $200,000 Bettors Delight. Tioga's five-eighths mile track is more like the track size Auckland Reactor dominated his down under foes on for the better part of three seasons.
Keeping a top horse in top shape season after season is not a given. Credit needs to be given to the connections (especially Mark Purdon) for The Reactor's span of downunder dominance. But that price tag needs justification, and I would venture a (well-educated) guess that the justification included racing - and racing with success - against the best here in the United States and Canada. The stakes season is heating up and the aged pacing division looks to be as solid as ever. Auckland Reactor remains the unknown quantity.