For the connections of T C I, it was a win-win result as the rookie trotter not only took the $620,000 William Wellwood Memorial for two-year-old trotters on Saturday, Aug. 26 but also earned a golden ticket to contest the prestigious Mohawk Million at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The handsome bay with a penchant for winning is stamping himself as a trotting talent to keep close tabs on, including when he steps into the spotlight for this year’s edition of the Mohawk Million on Sept. 23.
It was longshot Masstercraft (Trevor Henry) who blasted to the front from the outside post 10, with Amazing Catch (Ake Svanstedt) settling into second early. T C I, riding a five-race win streak, got away third heading into the first turn, but David Miller pressed the gas pedal and the pair got by Masstercraft just past an opening quarter reached in :27.2.
T C I, who won his division of the Wellwood on Aug. 19, then cruised to the half in :56.3. Reaching three-quarters in 1:25.4, the son of Cantab Hall-Nicoles Promise was given his cue to power away from his rivals and the Ron Burke trainee responded. But it was 13-1 Mars Hill, fresh off a Wellwood division victory, who came calling with driver Todd McCarthy and looked to reel in the 1-2 choice as the wire drew closer.
In the end, T C I made it six consecutive trips to the winner’s circle, besting Mars Hill by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:54.3. Amazing Catch was third, while Soar Higher (James MacDonald) was fourth.
“He’s been racing phenomenally,” lauded Miller. “His gait and that, it’s kind of flawless. He’s been perfect so far.”
“We’re kind of stuck right now, so we’re going with it, that’s how he wants to race right now,” said assistant trainer Mickey Burke, of the trotter’s eagerness to race on the lead. “We’ll probably tinker with him a little bit here over the next couple weeks and see what we can do with just bringing him down a little bit.”
After finishing second in his debut at The Meadowlands on July 7, T C I, owned by Burke, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, started his win streak with a four-length score one week later.
Now, the rookie trotter will have the opportunity to deliver his connections with a Mohawk Million crown. T C I earns an automatic berth, for free, into the race in four weeks. The other nine starting spots were purchased for $100,000 each.
“No, I wasn’t feeling that [pressure to get to Mohawk Million],” offered Miller. “I was just concentrating on tonight. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to. He was just being a little bull-headed there leaving out and he was strong enough to hang on.”
Bred by Concord Stud Farm LLC, T C I was a $150,000 purchase at the Harrisburg Yearling Sale in November 2022.
He paid $3 for tonight’s victory.
The William Wellwood Memorial is named after one of the most respected and talented horsemen who starred on the Woodbine Entertainment circuit and beyond. Inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2001, William Wellwood passed away two years later. His widow Jean was approached by Woodbine about naming a race in his honour. The former Campbellville Stakes became the William Wellwood Memorial in 2005.
For results from Saturday's stakes-packed card of harness racing at Mohawk, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine)