Sprinter Jeneko Place came out on top in a race pitting man against beast in Sunday’s harness racing at Vesey Street.The teenage athlete beat David Burrows’ gelding Mike’s Shadow in a 110 metres dash to make amends for last year’s loss against the same driver.Place crossed the finish line about a pony length ahead of Burrows.“I had a good start and felt nice coming around the corner and I was able to bring it home from there,” the Carifta Games medallist said.In the lead-up to the race Burrows said Place had no chance of winning.But the sprinter said he was determined to prove Burrows wrong.“I was fired up and determined to make him eat his words,” Place added. “After the race he just said ‘good race’.”Burrows took defeat in stride.“That pony I have doesn’t do well from a standstill, he was coasting for the first 50 feet or more before he figured out he has to run,” he said. “But it’s good that he (Place) won because they (runners) come down there every year and lose to the ponies now the ponies have to get one back.”Place said he was keen to offer Burrows a rematch next year if he’s up to the challenge.“I would give him a rematch if he wants,” he added. “I would certainly race David again and then drive his horse afterwards.”Asked would be race against Place next year, Burrows replied: “Sure, anytime.”Sunday’s race marked Place’s first taste of competition since recovering from a torn hamstring which ruled him out of last year’s Carifta Games at the National Sports Centre.Place, who turns 19 later this month, raised eyebrows at the 2010 Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands, claiming silver medals in the Under-17 boys 100 and 200 metres.His personal best in the 100 metres currently stands at 10.71 while his best over the 200 metres distance remains at 21.27. Both personal bests were achieved at the Carifta Games.The CedarBridge Academy student has listed qualifying for the upcoming Carifta Games in Bahamas and breaking the national junior record in the 100 metres among his personal goals for this year.Devonshire Cougars footballer Lovintz Tota currently holds the national junior record (10.60) in the 100 metres.