State Treasurer and Pet Rock captured their respective $50,000 elimination heats for the Confederation Cup on Sunday afternoon at Flamboro Downs in matching 1:51.2 miles.
State Treasurer turned back the supplemental favourite Panther Hanover and catch-driver Paul MacDonell as he went wire-to-wire to win the first heat.
Driver Jody Jamieson sent State Treasurer to the lead from post three with Panther Hanover and MacDonell forced to settle into the two-hole after leaving from post five. As the colts hit the opening quarter mark in :26.2, MacDonell rolled Panther Hanover to the outside in another attempt to take over command, but was denied once again as they rounded the turn into the stretch.
State Treasurer proceeded to lead the way to the half in :54.2 and three-quarters in 1:23 while I Found My Beach and Randy Waples advanced from fourth with Dynamic Youth and Andrew McCarthy following their cover. Around the final turn, Dynamic Youth rallied three-wide, but State Treasurer was untouchable as he opened up by four lengths en route to victory lane. The time of the mile was 1:51.2 over the 'good' surface and the final margin of victory was one length.
Dynamic Youth finished second, I Found My Beach followed for third and Caviart Key, driven by Brian Sears, finished fourth. Speed Again and Rick Zeron were fifth.
State Treasurer paid $7 to win as the 5-2 second choice. The Real Desire-Ideal Treasure colt is trained by Dr. Ian Moore for owners Sally Macdonald of Souris, P.E.I. and Sophie MacDonald of Regina, Sask.
Pet Rock went from last to first in the following elimination heat for driver Brian Sears.
Mel Mara and Luc Ouellette blasted off the gate from post four and posted a :27.1 opening quarter before being confronted by the Scott Zeron-driven Michaels Power, who advanced first up from third in front of the grandstand with Warrawee Needy and Jamieson following their cover.
Mel Mara hit the half in :55.3, but favourite Michaels Power began to edge out in front around the turn. Michaels Power pressed on trying to clear down the backstretch while Warrawee Needy tipped three-wide as they raced to three-quarters in 1:22.4. Michaels Power eventually cleared with Warrawee Needy right alongside as the spun for home. Meanwhile, Pet Rock was rolling from the backfield and he zipped up the passing lane to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2 over a track upgraded to 'fast'.
Michaels Power finished second with Warrawee Needy third. Secretsoftheknight and Doug McNair were fourth while Mel Mara rounded out the field in fifth.
Pet Rock paid $7.30 to win as the 5-2 second choice. The Rocknroll Hanover-Casual Beauty colt is trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. for owner Frank Bellino of Bronxville, New York.
The top four finishers plus one fifth place finisher (Speed Again) advance to the $581,500 Confederation Cup, which is scheduled for Race 12. Here is a look at the field in post position order with driver changes:
1. Pet Rock
2. Speed Again
3. I Found My Beach
4. Secretsoftheknight
5. Warrawee Needy
6. Michaels Power
7. State Treasurer - Paul MacDonell
8. Dynamic Youth
9. Caviart Key - Chris Christoforou
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.