Published: February 3, 2012 12:58 am ET

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Three-year-old pacing colts were in action on Thursday evening at the Meadowlands Racetrack, as the New Jersey oval hosted three divisions in the opening leg of the Junior Trendsetter Series.

Social Network took the opening division in a time of 1:53.4, winning by 5-3/4 lengths for driver David Miller. Sent off as the 2-5 favourite in the nine-horse tilt, the son of Tell All-Newsletter worked his way to the lead at the mid-way point and simply sped away from the competition in the late stages of the $12,500 contest. Bigtime Rush was next best, with Big League taking home the show dough.

Joe Holloway trains the two-time winner for the Val Dor Farms of Millstone, NJ. The pacer earned a 1:52.4 speed badge in his maiden-breaking victory at Harrah’s Chester Racetrack.

Take A Walk powered to the lead in the second quarter of his assignment, and once he cleared to the top it was game over. John Campbell carved out middle panels of :56.3 and 1:26.1 with the son of I Am A Fool-Walk Of Shame before using a :29-second kicker to seal the deal by 1-1/4 lengths over Rock Three Times. Third prize was earned by Mr Govianni Fra.

Tony Dinges trains the lightly-raced colt for The Whiz Kids Stable LLC of Dover, DE. It was the first start of the season for the pacer, who went 1-for-3 in last year’s freshman campaign. The 1:55.1 clocking was a lifetime best for the career winner of $10,250.

Eastwood Blue Chip turned in the quickest victory in the opening round of the series thanks to his 1:53.4 triumph in the third division. Ron Pierce hustled the son of Dragon Again-Shes Smashing through fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:26.4 before using a :27-second closing panel to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Im The Pied Piper. Sharkteen was a distant third.

Trainer Eric Ell of Denton, MD co-owns the two-time winner with John Emmons of Howell, NJ. Together they’ve watched the pacer put together a career record of 2-3-1 from 14 starts while banking more than $29,000 along the way.

The second leg of the Junior Trendsetter Series goes next Thursday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, with the $75,000 (est) final scheduled for Saturday, February 18.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.