Mr. Dennis strong in Exit 16W final

Mr. Dennis, moved to the lead in the final turn by driver Andy Miller, opened up enough of a margin through the stretch to reach the winner's circle in front in Saturday night's $60,200 Exit 16W Series final at the Meadowlands. The time for the mile over the "sloppy" racetrack was 1:52.3.

 

There was plenty of shuffling at the front of the race as first Hang Ten, then Holdingallthecards and then Yo Cheyenne Rocky held the lead. After first-half fractions of :27.2 and :55.4, Miller came rushing up with Mr. Dennis, who cleared at the 1:24.1 three-quarters. The 4-year-old son of Dragon Again closed out his win with a final quarter of :28.2 as he held off the late-closing Lindwood Player and driver Corey Callahan. Finishing third was Yo Cheyenne Rocky.

 

A $110,000 purchase at last month's Tattersalls Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands, Mr. Dennis is  owned by J.L. Benson Stables and trained by Nick Surick. Mr. Dennis finished third (in a dead heat) in the Clyde Hirt final in his first start for his new connections. Since then he won an overnight and then finished third and fourth in the Exit 16W preliminaries, both in tight photo finishes.