T C I circles field in wild Mohawk Million

T C I (Cantab Hall) overcame a break in stride and completed a last-to-first rally to capture the $1 million Mohawk Million, the world’s richest race for harness racing two-year-olds, at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Sep. 23).

T C I began to gallop as the wings folded and was left behind by his rivals, but he regained his footing quickly for Dave Miller and caught the pack midway through the first turn. Tactical Strike (Gino Toscani) streaked away from post one and blitzed the first quarter of :27.2. He was spotted several lengths as Drawn Impression (Louis-Philippe Roy) broke stride while looking to enter the pocket, and stablemate Top Mast instead made it a Toscani-owned top two to the half in :57.1.

Miller moved T C I off the cones at the midway point and was fourth-over and last of the leading group turning for home. T C I swung widest at the top of the stretch, and the powerhouse colt exploded midway down the stretch. Burke Racing barnmate Tennessee Tom (Chris Page) also ignited, and the two sparred into late-stretch, but T C I proved a cut above and kicked clear by a length-and-a-half to win the Mohawk Million in 1:54.3.

It was a one-two finish for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., and Weaver Bruscemi as Tennessee Tom held second. Allegiant (Scott Zeron) was third. The judges briefly lit the inquiry sign to confirm T C I violated no racing rules in his early break and took it down shortly after.

T C I REPLAY

T C I, who earned his spot in the Mohawk Million via winning the William Wellwood Memorial, has not been beaten since his career debut. The colt’s streak reached nine with the Mohawk Million victory, and he entered the seven-digit club as he increased his earnings to $1,261,970.

It was the third year for the Mohawk Million, a slot race for two-year-old trotters. Each owner paid $100,000 to enter the race, except the owners of T C I, who qualified by winning the William Wellwood Memorial.

For ongoing race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink