The first stop on the “Road to the Meadowlands Pace” went over smoothly for its featured performer. Two days after Tall Dark Stranger was ranked No. 1 in Dave Little’s weekly poll, the 3-year-old colt defeated older rivals in a high-end conditioned pace in 1:47.2, equaling the fastest mile in harness racing this year. He bid 3-wide on the final turn for driver Yannick Gingras and blazed the final quarter mile in :25.4 to win by 1-1/2 lengths. He paid $3.80 to win.

“I wasn’t shocked,” trainer Nancy Takter said of Tall Dark Stranger’s seasonal debut. “The fact that he did it in his first start, that surprised me.”

Tall Dark Stranger improved to 9-for-10 lifetime and will bring a $726,889 bankroll into the July 11 Pace eliminations for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor. The $682,650 Meadowlands Pace final is scheduled July 18.

But while he sits idle this week, three of his main rivals – No. 2 Papi Rob Hanover, No. 3 Captain Midnight and No. 4 Catch The Fire -- could race. All three won qualifiers recently and have a sub-1:50 mile on their resumes.

Earlier on the Saturday card, Takter and Gingras orchestrated a potential shakeup in Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian. Sorella, a 3-year-old trotting filly, won by a nose in 1:51.2 while top-ranked Amigo Volo, last year’s Breeders Crown champion, finished out of the money. The $1 million Hambletonian is set for Saturday, Aug. 8.

The Meadowlands will re-open for fans at 25 percent capacity this Thursday, July 2, with the apron also open. The dining room will take reservations Friday and Saturday. Post time each night is 7:15 p.m.