When Ron Burke was asked what kind of trip he preferred for his O'Brien Award-winning millionaire trotter T C I in his sophomore debut, the trained replied that he wanted his star pupil to win as easily as possible.
When T C I made that debut in Friday’s $199,414 leg of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) for three-year-old colts and geldings, it was as if Burke drew up the race. T C I shrugged off a mild challenge and drew off late to triumph by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:52.2.
T C I cruised to the half in :56 and easily turned back a first-over bid from Coors Hanover. Ordained grabbed second while Coors Hanover had to settle for show.
“That was perfect,” said winning driver David Miller, echoing Burke’s thoughts. “He raced well and did it fairly easily. That was a good start for him.”
The son of Cantab Hall-Nicoles Promise now has banked more than $1.5 million for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc. and Weaver Bruscemi.
Burke said T C I will be pointed to the next PASS leg at Pocono Downs.
Security Protected took the other division of Friday's PASS leg known as the Super Bowl in 1:53.3.
Security Protected was no slouch at two himself; in fact, his cheque for Friday’s work propelled him over $400,000 in career earnings.
The son of Father Patrick-Thatsnotmyname had to fight three-wide for early lead, but when Dave Palone popped his earplugs, he found another gear.
“You always want to make it easy on them early in the year,” said Palone. “But when I took the plugs out, he was airborne. That’s a very good horse. He’s a driver’s dream.”
Blackhawk Zette, who captured six of his first seven outings this year, was 1-1/2 lengths back in second while Luke The Spook completed the ticket.
Marcus Melander conditions Security Protected for Mitchell Friesen, Brad Grant and Order By Stable Ab.
The Meadows also hosted a $136,986 leg of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings and the five divisions went to Loxahatchee, Usain Hanover, Splendid, Im Out and Cyclone Ben.
Usain Hanover might be ready for a step up to the next level based on his dominant performance on Friday. He quarter-poled to the point for Miller and strode away to prevail by 8-3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:53. Attis Rock and Disgruntled Carl rounded out the ticket.
“He was coasting,” said Miller. “I don’t know how much the sires stakes horses will go today, but it won’t be much more than he went.”
Nifty Norman trains the Bar Hopping-Up Front Hotsey gelding for Enzed Racing Stable Inc.
Loxahatchee’s regal pedigree, Greenshoe-Hannelore Hanover, inspires dreams of championships; indeed, he brought $435,000 as a yearling at the Lexington Selected Sale. But entering the Super Bowl, he had only one victory in seven career starts.
On Friday, he looked more like the horse everyone expected, erasing a six-length deficit — even though his cover broke stride in front of him. He scored in 1:55.3, a new life mark, three lengths better than Casanova Hall, with early leader International Craze third.
“Our game plan was to roll out of there, and he just didn’t feel like he would get off on the right foot; he was a little pacey,” said winning driver Palone. “When his cover ran, my colt took off on his own. He was well within himself.”
Melander trains the winner for Courant Inc.
In Friday’s $26,301 Open Handicap Pace, Bonniprinclouis N made his domestic debut successful, roaring from well back to win in 1:50.1 for Miller, Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith. Early leader Risenshine Seaside was second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with HP Momentum third.
Miller collected three wins on the 13-race card.
Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Saturday when the 13-race program features a trio of carryovers: $1,301.57 in the Early Pick 4 (Race 1); $689.57 in the Early Pentafecta (Race 4); and $2,382.58 in the Pick 5 (Race 9). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)