Pocono: T C I, Security Protected don't disappoint in PA Sire Stakes

The 3-year-old trotting colts T C I and Security Protected both remained undefeated in their 2024 campaigns after each won his second straight Pennsylvania Sire Stake on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

The Cantab Hall colt T C I was in front of his field before the 26 4/5 quarter, took advantage of the prevailing wind on the day to get a rest to the half in 57 1/5, then continued on to the three-quarters in 1:25 4/5. Daiquiri Hanover, who had yielded the early lead to T C I, came up the Pocono Pike in the stretch, but the winner trotted home in 27 4/5 and driver David Miller didn't look worried late, even though his foe got to within half a length at the wire, as the timer froze in 1:53 3/5.

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 $1,311,286.

Braxten Boyd, tapped for the catch-drive behind Security Protected by trainer Marcus Melander, looked like a patient Grand Circuit veteran amidst heavy traffic on the first turn of his contest. He handled his trotter to be the "last horse to the top," and even with foes on both sides of him breaking, he rode cover to the 28 second quarter, then went on to take control before the 56 2/5 half and proceeded to the three-quarters in 1:25 4/5, giving his horse a breather.

The breather was surely welcome to the Father Patrick colt in the stretch drive, as Blackhawk Zette continued to advance first-over and pocket-sitter Coors Hanover loomed to the inside. Boyd had Security Protected a neck ahead of his righthand foe at the end of the 1:54 2/5 mile, with the challenger to his left another half-length behind. Security Protected, 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, and his lifetime earnings now total $442,540.

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It was logical to think that the final of four $20,000 Stallion Series divisions would produce the fastest time, as three first-round StS winners were matched in it. That prediction was correct, as the race went in 1:54 4/5, while the other three sections all went in 1:56; however, the crowd's heavy favorite, Usain Hanover (a 1:53 winner last time) was not the horse to post it.

Going down the backstretch the outer tier consisted of the three StS winners – Loxahatchee, Usain Hanover, and I'm Out. Loxahatchee cleared to the lead at the three-quarters; Usain Hanover went to challenge but lost his gait in doing so; and I'm Out closed well but couldn't reach the leader, coming short by 1 1/4 lengths at the finish. Loxahatchee is a Greenshoe colt out of Hannelore Hanover (hence the $435,000 yearling pricetag) driven by Mattias Melander for Courant Inc., and trained by Mattias's brother Marcus.

Marcus Melander added a third stakes winner (with a different driver of each one) as another Greenshoe colt owned by Courant Inc., Lamtarra (a $500,000 yearling), was successful in the first StS cut for driver Matt Kakaley.

The other two Stallion Series winners gave sire Father Patrick a second and third Saturday stakes credit: Splendid, winner of two StS contests and five in-a-row for owners Rooney Racing and Trotting For Bourbon and the South Dakota-Vermont combo of driver Chris Lems and trainer Todd Rooney; and the gelding Father Mike, who 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 favorite for players of claiming races, with many of the selling races, topped by three $16,500 events: one for 4- and 5-year-olds valued at $40,000, and two of the class for older horses handicapped by tags ranging from $30,000-$40,000.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--