Early Action had to work to get to the lead past the opening quarter from post nine, but once he got command he never relinquished it, winning the $386,600 Governor's Cup for rookie colt and gelding pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Sent off at 6-1, Early Action stopped the timer in 1:50. Driven by Brian Sears, Early Action was part of the early action after firing out from the outside slot, but there were plenty of other leavers, including PJ Lou (Andy Miller) and Fourever Boy (Mike Wilder). PJ Lou hit the quarter in a spicy 26 1/5, with Fourever Boy settling into the two-hole. Not finding a hole, or even wanting one for that matter, Sears pushed on two-wide and was able to forge his way by PJ Lou in the backstretch. Going to the 54 second half-mile station, Market Based (Yannick Gingras) began a first-over move out of the fifth spot, giving cover to Kindergarten Classic Series champion Hammering Hank (Dexter Dunn). They made progress toward Early Action on the far turn, with Dunn tipping Hammering Hank three-wide before three-quarters was reached in 1:22. Through the lane Hammering Hank had dead-aim at Early Action, but Early Action responded when called upon by Sears and was able to rebuff him. Meanwhile, Mad Max Hanover (Tim Tetrick), who was last at three-quarters, came flying after fanning out in the lane, but he ran out of racetrack, as Early Action hit the finish line about a neck to the good. Hammering Hank had to settle for third, Fourever Boy came in fourth, and PJ Lou held fifth. "Lexington, he liked that track a lot. It's really forgiving," said Sears of Early Action, who was two-for-two in Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile. "His first start back here, he might have been a little ouchy, but they took care of that this week, and he raced super. They were pushing and trying to hold their spots early on. I was just kind of waiting for them to get settled so I could make a move. "He's put on some really game efforts. I can't say enough about that. He held in there a couple of tight ones in Lexington, and the effort he put in tonight was really special." ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Joe Holloway trains Early Action, a gelded son of Huntsville-Fashion Katie (Village Jolt) bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, for owners Val D'Or Farms and Ted Gewertz. A $60,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, Early Action has eight wins, two seconds, and a third from 13 starts, and he has pocketed $450,549. He returned $14.80 to win. "He came around late, and he did very well. I was disappointed with last week's race, but happy with this week. That's the way it goes. I thought he was a little bit sounder [this week]. It's the end of the year. This time of the year they're getting to the finish line. "The 3-year-old year is fun. I don't think he's a horse like Perfect Sting, but we'll be in some of the races and have a good time."