Woodbine Mohawk Park: T C I tallies in William Wellwood Memorial

T C I and driver David Miller took control past the quarter and never looked back on their way to victory in the C$620,000 William Wellwood Memorial at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. The Cantab Hall-sired colt scored in 1:54 3/5 winning for the sixth time in seven career starts.

Masstercraft and driver Trevor Henry were engaged at the outset, leaving from post 10 with high speed. Inside of him was Amazing Catch and Ake Svanstedt also determined to see the front. Henry got Masstercraft to cross over into the first turn, with Amazing Catch settling second. Miller had eased T C I away from the gate looking to get a spot, but his colt wasn't about to let the action in front go unchallenged and forged sharply to clear the top past the 27 2/5 opening quarter.

Once in front T C I took kindly to Miller's rating and backed the half to 56 3/5. Svanstedt wasn't satisfied with a three-hole trip for Amazing Catch and pulled the Walner-sired colt for another shot at the lead, followed closely by Mars Hill with Todd McCarthy. T C I and Miller were still in control at three-quarters in 1:25 4/5 as Amazing Catch tried to follow along beind him and Mars Hill vaulted wide and began to track down the leader.

In midstretch Miller went to a drive behind T C I. The colt picked up the bit again and determinedly held Mars Hill at bay through the final yards, trotting a 28 4/5 final quarter to secure the victory. Mars Hill finished second, with Amazing Catch well back in third ahead of Soar Higher.

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"He's been racing phenomenal," said David Miller. "His gait is flawless."

Miller suggested he was hoping to race T C I from off-the-pace.

"It didn't go like I wanted it to," Miller said. "He was a bit bull-headed."

Owned by Hatfield Stables, Knox Services, Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing Stable, T C I is trained by Ron Burke. As the 1-2 public choice T C I returned $3 to win. The victory in the Wellwood gave T C I a ticket to the Mohawk Million, which is slated for September 23.

"It's an amazing opportunity," said assistant trainer Mickey Burke Jr. of the chance to race for seven figures.