A pair of three-year-old trotting colts retain the place among the ranks of the unbeaten in 2024 after winning their second successive Pennsylvania Sires Stakes races on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
In his $98,886 division, T C I, with David Miller in the bike, went to the front in an opening quarter of :26.4. Taking advantage of a prevailing wind, the Cantab Hall colt got a rest to the half in :57.1. T C I was still on top at the three-quarters in 1:25.4. Holding off a late challenge from Daiquiri Hanover, T C I won by half a length in 1:53.3.
T C I is two-for-two as a sophomore for trainer Ron Burke and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Hatfield Stables, and Knox Services Inc. For his brief career he has 12 wins in 14 starts, with earnings now at $1,552,529.
In his $99,434 division, Security Protected , with Braxten Boyd up for trainer Marcus Melander, rode cover through a :28 first quarter. a second straight division in PASS action. Security Protected then went on to take control before the :56.2 half and proceeded to the three quarters in 1:25.4, giving his horse a breather. Challenged by both Blackhawk Zette and Coors Hanover in the stretch drive, Security Protected held them off to win by a neck in 1:54.2.
The Father Patrick colt owned by Mitchell Friesen, Brad Grant, and Order By Stable AB, has now won the two Sire Stakes and a Pennsylvania All-Stars stakes in three starts, pushing his lifetime earnings to $477,609.
Three first-round Stallion Series winners were matched up in the final of four $27,397 Stallion Series divisions, and they hooked up in a duel that produced the fastest time of the four divisions. The trio of Loxahatchee, Usain Hanover, and Im Out were locked in battle going down the backstretch. Entering the final quarter, Loxahatchee cleared to the lead and closed out to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.4. The other three divisions all stopped the clock in 1:56.
Heavy favourite, Usain Hanover, a 1:53 winner last time, broke stride in the final quarter. Loxahatchee is a Greenshoe colt out of Hannelore Hanover, with a $435,000 yearling pricetag. Loxahatchee was driven by Mattias Melander and trained by Mattias’s brother Marcus for owners Courant Inc.
Marcus Melander added a third stakes winner, as another Greenshoe colt owned by Courant Inc., Lammtarra (a $500,000 yearling purchase), was successful in the first Stallkion Series race for driver Matt Kakaley.
Horses sired by Father Patrick won the other two Stallion Series events. Splendid earned his second Stallion Series victory in a row and his fifth straight win overall. Diver Chris Lems was up for trainer Todd Rooney and owners Rooney Racing and Trotting For Bourbon.
With his 1:56 win, the gelding Father Mike established a lifetime best for driver Ridge Warren, trainer Richard Perfido and owners Dr. Scott Leaf, Dr. Michael Ternisky, and Gerald Fielding.
This Sunday night’s 6 p.m. card at Pocono will be a favourite for players of claiming races, with many of the selling races, topped by three $22,602 events.
(With files from PHHA/Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania)