Prepping for Hambletonian Day's U.S. Pacing Championship, State Treasurer turned in a 1:48.3 triumph in the $34,000 Preferred Pace at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night.
The 4-5 favourite overcame an outside post eight start for the eighth sub-1:50 victory of his career for trainer Dr. Ian Moore. Chris Christoforou drove the five-year-old son of Real Desire, who is owned by Sally MacDonald of Souris, P.E.I. and Paul MacDonald of Regina, Sask.
Evenin Of Pleasure (Sylvain Filion) and Fool Me Once (Paul MacDonell) fired off the gate together with the later eventually clearing the former into a scorching :25.3 first quarter. Meanwhile, State Treasurer found a spot along the pylons in fifth and launched his attack down the backstretch, chasing Fool Me Once by the half in :53.2 and then edging a head in front by the 1:21.1 three-quarters mark. State Treasurer then drew clear of Fool Me Once into the stretch and held off the late-rallying Ellis Park (Steve Condren), who won the Preferred last week. Captive Audience (James MacDonald) closed for third over Fool Me Once.
State Treasurer now boasts seven wins in 10 starts this year and has banked $230,564 in purses. Among his wins this year is the Molson Pace. He finished fourth in his other stakes starts, the Mohawk Gold Cup and William R. Haughton Memorial last time out on July 12.
Saturday's win was his 20th lifetime and boosted his career earnings to $711,055.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.