'The Reactor' In To Go; Heffering Comments

Although it was announced earlier this week that Down Under star Auckland Reactor would be getting a week off, the six-year-old has been entered to make his North American pari-mutuel debut this weekend, and co-owner Peter Heffering has spoken to Trot Insider about

the son of Mach Three.

After having started off his North America career with a trio of qualifying efforts, Auckland Reactor will be contesting Race 10 on the Meadowlands Racetrack's Saturday, May 22 card of racing.

The career earner of over $942,000 in purses has drawn Post 3 for trainer Kelvin Harrison and driver Brian Sears in the $32,000 invitational.

"He might go into race this week," Heffering had told Trot Insider yesterday. "If that is the case, Kelvin would then give him next week off."

Heffering, who co-owns Auckland Reactor along with the rest of the AR Stable of Boca Raton, Florida, has said that he has been pleased with the career winner of 25 of 31 races so far.

"The horse is sound and Kelvin is happy with him," Heffering told Trot Insider. "He's done everything that we've wanted from him so far. He's had some issues with allergies, and New Jersey is not the best place to be in regard to that. To get him race-ready he'll have to get in with some good horses. If he is to go with the good horses he's going to have to go in (1:) 48 or faster."

Included in the seven-horse Invitational are Vintage Master (PP7, D. Dube), Share The Delight (PP6, Y. Gingras), Real Joke (PP5, G. Brennan) and Pilgrims Toner (PP2, Y. Gingras), among others.

(video courtesy of Meadowlands Racetrack)