by Amy Silver, publicity director, Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ — Hey Mister rallied off a second-over trip to win the $257,000 Del Miller Memorial Trot for 3-year-old fillies on Friday, July 15 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Lisa photo

Hey Mister rallied to win the Del Miller Memorial Trot for 3-year-old fillies on Friday at the Meadowlands in 1:54.4.

Despite drifting four-wide in the lane, the 1-5 favorite got up to best Crème De Cocoa by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.4. Lost Symbol held third after setting the fractions. Driven by Brian Sears, Hey Mister was clocked in 1:54.4. She paid $2.60 to win the sixth race feature.

“She works herself up a little bit, and is a little bit of a nervous filly,” Sears said. “She’s matured in every start though, so that helps.

“We didn’t get away very aggressively but there were some horses leaving out of there so it worked out well,” he continued. “I was babying her a little bit through the last turn. It was my main concern and I knew she’d give me some kick coming home. She likes to run out a little bit down the stretch but she was good and got the job done. She definitely has a turn of high speed and if you get her in the right spot she can kick home really well.”

The daughter of Muscles Yankee-Pick Me Up is perfect in three starts this season for trainer Ross Croghan and owners Robert Cooper Stables, Let It Ride Stables, Jerry Silva and Nick Barbieri. Hey Mister boosted her bankroll to $203,812 with the victory, her fourth in nine career starts.

“She puts her game face on when she comes to the track,” Croghan said. “She gets a little worked up but she works her way through it. She’s been good so I can’t complain. If she comes out of this race good, the Hambletonian Oaks [August 6; elims July 30] will be her next stop.”