by Ray Cotolo, for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Dr. Ian Moore trainee State Treasurer, the 2015 O’Brien Award Horse of the Year, returns to the stakes ranks to defend his Canadian Pacing Derby crown Saturday (Sept. 3) at Mohawk Racetrack. State Treasurer, who won last year’s edition in 1:47.4, is one of two starters sent out by Moore in Saturday’s C$616,000 contest.

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State Treasurer returns to the stakes ranks to defend his Canadian Pacing Derby crown Saturday.

The 7-year-old son of Real Desire, from the Western Ideal mare Ideal Treasure, made his last stakes appearance in the $500,000 Ben Franklin final on July 2 at Pocono, where he raced from off the pace and finished seventh to Always B Miki in a 1:47 mile.

“I think he got tired of chasing them,” Moore said. “I’m not saying that he’ll step right up and go (1):47 again, but I am saying that he seems different this time of year than he was earlier in the year.”

State Treasurer’s first win this season was in his tenth start, on July 23 at Mohawk in the Preferred, where he paced in 1:48.4.

“He maybe wasn’t quite as good at the start of the year,” Moore said. “But he’s the type of horse that really excels on winning because it instills confidence into him. I know people may wonder when I say that, but some horses definitely become confident when they win. He’s one of them.”

Entered into a Preferred on Aug. 6 at Mohawk, State Treasurer was lame in his jog the day prior and was scratched. Moore found that the horse had stepped on a two-inch #10 screw that burrowed into his left hind hoof. He was given antibiotics to prevent infection from the injury and returned to race on Aug. 13, winning the Preferred in 1:50.1 from post nine. Then on Aug. 20, he won as the 4-5 favorite in 1:48.3.

“One of the owners wanted to race him (in the Preferred) last week and I thought a week off would be best,” Moore said. “But it didn’t matter anyway; (Mohawk) didn’t go with the top class. He jogged very sharp all last week.”

“I trained him (Wednesday), and he trained probably as good as he ever trained,” Moore also said.

Earning $1,897,438 in his career, State Treasurer will race from post three for owners Sally and Paul MacDonald. Chris Christoforou will drive.

“Obviously the big three are Wiggle It (Jiggleit), (Always B) Miki, and Shamballa, and everybody will be betting on those guys,” Moore said. “But they’ll know he’s there; he’ll give it his all. This is his home track and he has his regular driver with him that night, so he’ll be very tough.”

Moore’s other trainee, Rockin In Heaven, who he owns in partnership with Douglas Polley, Francois Lecomte, and Gordon McComb, drew post five for his first start since finishing third in the $156,000 Prix D’Ete.

“He has been a very nice surprise for us over the last couple of years and he continues to surprise us,” Moore said. “He was charted going 1:48.3 this year and 1:48.2 in the mud. He’s a pretty nice horse who always seems to give his best, too.”

The 4-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven from the Jenna’s Beach Boy mare Tropics Beachgirl has earned $466,280 in his career.

“We’re very proud and pleased to have two in the (Canadian Pacing) Derby,” Moore said. “We’re hoping for a good trip and to pick up some money.”

The Canadian Pacing Derby is carded as the tenth race on the 13-race program.

Here is the full field for the C$616,000 Canadian Pacing Derby.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1. Wiggle It Jiggleit–Montrell Teague–Clyde Francis
2. Nickle Bag–Trevor Henry–William Robinson
3. State Treasurer–Chris Christoforou–Dr. Ian Moore
4. Shamballa–Rick Zeron–Rick Zeron
5. Rockin In Heaven–Jody Jamieson–Dr. Ian Moore
6. Nirvana Seelster–Phil Hudon–William Budd
7. All Bets Off–Matt Kakaley–Ron Burke
8. Always B Miki–David Miller–Jimmy Takter
9. Dealt A Winner–Andy Miller–Mark Silva
10. Evenin Of Pleasure–Sylvain Filion–Richard Moreau