$420,000 Haughton Memorial no problem for T C I

T C I (Cantab Hall) took over the lead approaching the half and was never headed as he improved his record to eight harness racing wins from nine starts taking the $420,000 Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday night (Sept. 14^th).

There was plenty of early action with two colts that started outside T C I blasting off the gate and pointing to the front. Thinker Monkey (Brian Sears) motored to the top from post six with Breezy Hall (Scott Zeron) landing second, ahead of Amazing Catch (Yannick Gingras). Driver Dave Miller tucked T C I in fourth.

As they passed the opening quarter in 27.2, Amazing Catch was on the move and Miller sent T C I to follow that colt to the front. Miller said his original plan was to drop in and look for a second over trip, but he had to call an audible due to the dawdling early pace and where he was positioned.

“Two of them left from the outside and crossed right over and it didn’t feel like we were going any,” he recounted. “I was still kind of biding my time but then Yannick moved, and I just followed him up. I was able to get a pretty soft middle half, then he was pretty strong.”

T C I led through a 57.1 half and a 1:27.0 three quarters without facing a serious challenge and that enabled him to power home in 27.1 and shrug off a stretch bid from Amazing Catch. Miller said he was never worried. “He (Gingras) moved, and he did come after me, but my horse took right off as soon as he moved him.”

Ron Burke-trained T C I was a length winner over Amazing Catch in 1:54.2 with Security Protected (Tim Tetrick) closing from far back for third. Thinker Monkey stayed for fourth. Second choice Mars Hill was a bit steppy approaching the gate and got away seventh, broke stride at the three quarters and finished last of 10.

T C I REPLAY

Owners Burke Racing Stable of Pennsylvania, and Weaver Bruscemi Llc, Hatfield Stables and Knox Services Inc of Ohio share ownership of the winner, who boosted his earnings to just under $762,000.

There might be an even bigger payday possibly coming next weekend at Mohawk Park, according to owner Bud Hatfield. “I think we’ll be going up there on the 23rd if Ronnie (Burke) says okay,” he revealed, indicating his colt will likely race in the $1 million Mohawk Million.

T C I paid $3.00 to win as the favorite.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink