from the USTA Communications Department

East Rutherford, NJ — J L Benson Stables Inc.’s Mr Dennis ($14.20) was an upset winner in the $60,200 Exit 16W Pacing Series final for 4-year-old stallions and geldings on Saturday night (Feb. 23) at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Andy Miller piloted the Nick Surick trainee to a 1:52.3 triumph over a sloppy track for his second win in seven’s starts, while lifting his 2013 bank account to $58,340.

Lisa photo

Andy Miller steered Mr Dennis to a 1:52.3 score in the Exit 16W final.

Favored Holdingallthecards, seeking his seventh straight victory this year, was on top at the opening quarter in a time of :27.2 but gave way to Yo Cheyenne Rocky at the :55.4 half-mile marker.

Heading down the backstretch Andy Miller took his shot with Mr Dennis and they improved from fourth at the half to take over the lead as the field hit the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1.

From there Me Dennis opened up on his opponents and used a :28.2 final panel to trip the finish line in 1:52.3. Lindwood Player came on to finish second for Corey Callahan, 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner, while Yo Cheyenne Rocky and Brandon Simpson finished third. Holdingallthecards saw his winning streak come to an end as he was ninth.

A $110,000 purchase at this past January’s Tattersalls Mixed Sale, Mr Dennis was third and fourth in the two preliminary legs of the Exit 16W, losing each time by a neck.

“He was very good last week,” said driver Andy Miller, “he just really kind of got torched. He was out a long ways and he went for a long ways, but just got a little tired late.

“I was just kind of riding up there (on the backstretch) and then he grabbed into me and kind of took off on me when I chirped to him there, so I decided to take a shot and go for it.

“When he made his move there he opened up pretty good and he just kept on going. He keeps getting better all the time.”