Western Fair: State Treasurer upsets in $150k Molson

The $150,000 Molson Pace at Western Fair played out as expected for two-thirds of the mile. Foiled Again was on the lead with Betterthancheddar chasing from the pocket. Apparently someone forgot to tell State Treasurer that he wasn’t supposed to win.

The fractions set by Foiled Again were swift. The quarter came in 26 4/5 and the half in 55 1/5. The parked-out Aracache Hanover began to pack it in down the backstretch the second time and State Treasurer, who picked up his cover at the quarter, pounced with a wide move just past the five-eighths.

State Treasurer and Foiled Again battled into the stretch with Betterthancheddar hopelessly locked in behind the pair and hoping for a seam to charge through. Foiled Again was game, but the fresh State Treasurer simply wore him down in a 1:51 1/5 winning performance.

Betterthancheddar split the pair in deep stretch for second.

“It really did work out well,” said driver Randy Waples, who was giving high-fives along the rail on his way back to the winner’s circle. “Coming off a helmet, he is a very dangerous horse.”

The victory was the second on the year in four starts for the Dr. Ian Moore-trained and Sally and Sophie MacDonald-owned 4-year-old.

“He’s got a great attitude and just won’t quit,” said Moore, who went on to applaud the drive by Waples.

The win by State Treasurer boosted his career bankroll to $378,191 and ended Foiled Again’s bid for a third consecutive Molson Pace trophy.