Washington, PA — 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.

T C I kicked off his sophomore campaign on Friday with a victory in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at The Meadows. Chris Gooden Photo.

When T C I (David Miller) made that debut in Friday’s (May 31) $145,572 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for 3-year-old colts and geldings, it was as if Burke had drawn 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 (Dave Palone) 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 (Mike Wilder). Ordained (Matt Kakaley) grabbed second while Coors Hanover had to settle for show.

“That was perfect,” said winning driver 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 (Kakaley), who captured six of his first seven outings this year, was 1-1/2 lengths back in second while Luke The Spook (Mattais Melander) 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 (Miller) 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 (Kakaley) and Disgruntled Carl (Hunter Myers) 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 (Palone) 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 (Miller), with early leader International Craze (Todd Schadel) 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 (Miller) 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 (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with HP Momentum (Palone) 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 p.m.