When harness racing's driver of the decade sits behind a horse touted to be the next Secretariat or Somebeachsomewhere, people in the industry have a tendency to pay close attention

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The Meadowlands Racetrack interviewed top reinsman Brian Sears on Friday night after Sears sat behind southern hemisphere sensation Auckland Reactor for his first North American qualifier on Thursday morning.

"We weren't looking to light up the timer yesterday, we just wanted to see how his manners were and how he'd handle the situation behind the gate and see how aggressive he was," commented Sears. "It was nice to get an easy trip in him and we'll try and go a little more next week."

Sears went on to indicate that the connections intend to qualify Auckland Reactor two more times. Auckland Reactor, who is predominantly owned by North Americans including Canadian owners Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson, qualified in 1:53 this past Thursday.

To watch the stretch drive of the qualifier and listen to Sears' interview with Sam McKee from Friday's In The Sulky pre-race show, click play on the video below.