Fresh off a world record effort and a track record performance in his last two starts, speedster State Treasurer heads into Saturday's Canadian Pacing Derby eliminations in the midst of a solid run of lucrative stakes engagements that could play a role in determining divisional honours.
One of Canadian harness racing's oldest and most prestigious stakes events, the Canadian Pacing Derby dates back to 1936 and for years attracted North America's top talent. This year is no exception, with a stellar group of 18 free-for-allers lining up in two nine-horse-fields. Of those, State Treasurer is both the fastest (1:47) and richest ($517,566) in 2015. In fact, in just 12 starts the Dr. Ian Moore-trained son of Real Desire - Ideal Treasure is already enjoying his best season in five years of racing despite his fair share of roadtrips.
"He's had a tough summer...we're trucked him to every race and back again, and he did have about four in a row there at one point earlier on."
His most recent effort was a 1:47.2f win in Sunday's Roll With Joe at Tioga Downs. The mile was not only a track record, but the second-fastest mile ever paced over a five-eighths mile oval.
In advance of the most lucrative payday of the season for this division, veteran Moore no doubt has his eyes on the prize within reach next Saturday, but also on those paydays imminent on the calendar. The stakes schedule doesn't slow down for State Treasurer after the Canadian Pacing Derby if he races in both the elimination and the final, with Scioto Downs' Jim Ewart Memorial and Harrington Raceway's Bobby Quillen as possible events in the not-too-distant future.
"We had left him out of a couple of things to try to give him breaks...he wasn't eligible to the Dan Patch at Hoosier, for example," Moore told Trot Insider. "We'll play it by ear. We'd like to go back down to Lexington again. Hopefully we can keep him going for the Breeders Crown and the TVG as well."
Owned by Sally MacDonald of Souris, P.E.I and Paul MacDonald of Toronto, Ont., State Treasurer will be coming into Saturday's tilt off of just six days rest. Moore noted that he would only ask the horse for a few rounds of light jogging on Thursday and Friday in advance of Saturday's elim.
"He's seemed to excel off more time off lately and not anywhere near the amount of training he's had in recent years," stated Moore. "I don't hardly train him at all now. In fact, one of the owners is in town and [earlier this week] asked me about jogging him and I said 'no, I've decided to give him another day off.'"
The 9-5 morning line choice, State Treasurer leaves from post 4 for driver David Miller, the winner of last year's Canadian Pacing Derby with Modern Legend. Standing in Miller, Moore and State Treasurer's way in the first $40,000 elimination will be the likes of Prix D'Ete winner All Bets Off (PP7, Matt Kakaley, 7-2), razor-sharp Captive Audience (PP6, Andy McCarthy, 4-1) and a horse Miller is very familiar with, 2014 O'Brien Award winner McWicked (PP5, Jody Jamieson, 6-1).
The top five horses from each division advance to next Saturday's $685,000 Canadian Pacing Derby final, and Moore knows that his millionaire will require optimal form to knock off this elite group of older pacers.
"It's going to be the best purse of the year that he's going to race for...and everyone else as well, that's why they're all there," said Moore.
Canadian Pacing Derby – Elimination 1 – Race 5
1. Ellis Park – Randy Waples – Brad Maxwell – 8-1
2. Piston Broke – Sylvain Filion – Rob Fellows – 15-1
3. Bettorever – Corey Callahan – Jeff Bamond Jr. – 12-1
4. State Treasurer – David Miller – Dr. Ian Moore – 9-5
5. Mcwicked – Jody Jamieson – Casie Coleman – 6-1
6. Captive Audience – Andrew McCarthy – Colin Johnson – 4-1
7. All Bets Off – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 7-2
8. Luck Be Withyou – Luc Ouellette – Bill Cass – 15-1
9. Bettors Edge – Brett Miller – Ron Burke – 10-1
Canadian Pacing Derby – Elimination 2 – Race 7
1. Shamballa – Rick Zeron – Rick Zeron – 5-2
2. Mach It So – Corey Callahan – Jeff Bamond Jr.– 5-1
3. Evenin Of Pleasure – Sylvain Filion – Richard Moreau – 12-1
4. Melmerby Beach – Paul MacDonell – Paul MacDonell – 15-1
5. Foiled Again – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 6-1
6. Nirvana Seelster – Doug McNair – Bill Budd – 15-1
7. JK Endofanera – Brett Miller – Jimmy Takter – 3-1
8. Limelight Beach – John Campbell – Ron Burke – 10-1
9. Clear Vision – Andrew McCarthy – Ron Burke – 9-2
In addition to the Canadian Pacing Derby eliminations, Saturday night's card also features a pair of Shes A Great Lady eliminations for two-year-old pacing fillies and a trifecta of Metro Pace elims for two-year-old male pacers. To view entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Mohawk Racetrack.