Rocknroll Hanover last night showed why he’s the best 3-year-old pacer in the country, as the contender for Horse of the Year easily captured the $1M Meadowlands Pace by three lengths in a stakes-record 1:48 3/5 at the Meadowlands.

Driver Brian Sears was content to move the 3-5 favorite to the rail at the start of the race, letting stablemate Village Jolt take the front and lead the field to an opening-quarter in :26 2/5.

Trained by Brett Pelling, Rocknroll Hanover easily took command near the half, reaching that point in :54 3/5. Stonebridge Regal, the 5-2 second choice, and driver Jack Moiseyev made a first over move approaching the half but never really challenged Rocknroll Hanover.

“When they started coming at me he just swelled up and he felt better and better as the mile went on,” Sears said of Rocknroll Hanover.

Said Moiseyev: “He [Stonebridge Regal] broke a front hobble hanger at the half. His left hobble was down around his knees and I knew I was in trouble.”

The hobble is the section of harness that loops around the knees and helps keep the horse on gait.

With his main rival put away, Rocknroll Hanover had a 11/2-length lead, passing the three-quarter pole in 1:21 3/5, and extended that advantage through the stretch.

Village Jolt was second and despite broken equipment, and Stonebridge Regal was third.

The former stakes mark of 1:49 was set by Mach Three in 2002 and equaled last year by Holborn Hanover. A day before his 47th birthday, Pelling became the winningest Meadowlands Pace trainer, with four victories.

This was the first Pace victory for Sears, the current leader in the driver standings at the Championship Meet. Rocknroll Hanover returned $3.40 to win.