MEADOWS
STANDARDBRED OWNERS
ASSOCIATION
“Horsemen Helping Horsemen”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Evan Pattak, 412.401.5393, [email protected]
T C I LAUNCHES SOPH CAMPAIGN WITH UNPRESSURED PASS WIN AT THE
MEADOWS
By Evan Pattak For The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
WASHINGTON, PA, May 31, 2024 — When trainer Ron Burke was asked what kind of trip
he preferred for his millionaire trotter T C I in his sophomore debut, Burke replied that he
wanted his star pupil to win as easily as possible.
When T C I made that debut in Friday’s $145,572 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-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. Security Protected took the other
division of the event known as the Super Bowl.
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-Nicole’s Promise now has banked $1,275,163 for owners Burke
Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Burke said
T C I will be pointed to the next PASS leg at Pocono.
Security Protected was no slouch at 2 himself; in fact, his check 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,” Palone said. “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.
$100,000 PA Stallion Series — 3-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trotters
The splits in Friday’s sub-feature went to Loxahatchee, Usain Hanover, Splendid, I’m Out
and Cyclone Ben.Usain Hanover might be ready for a step up to the next level based on his dominant
performance 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,” Miller said. “I don’t know how much the sires stake 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 6-length deficit —
even though his cover broke stride in front of him. He scored in 1:55.3, a new life mark, 3
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 $19,200 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 racing at The Meadows continues 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); $2,382.58 in the Pick 5 (race 9). First post is 12:45 PM.
EDITORS: Attached are finish-line jpgs of T C I and Security Protected winning PASS splits
Friday at The Meadows.
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) is a nonproft oganization that
represents the interests of approximately 700 Standardbred trainers, drivers, caretakers and
owners at The Meadows. In addition to providing horses to race at The Meadows, MSOA
administers such member-centric services as health insurance and retirement programs for
horsemen and horsewomen.
P.O . Box 253 • Meadow Lands, PA 15347
724-228-3644 • Fax: 724-228-5047 • msoa@themsoa.com