In The Sulky Forum
General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Headpole Dave on August 10, 2013, 08:10:44 AM
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Most things in life come full-circle and the same can be said for harness racing.
Two years and nine months ago today, State Treasurer walked into Kenny Arsenault’s stable in Charlottetown as only a baby, getting ready to learn his early lessons.
Allan MacDonald of Souris had just purchased him for $6,500 out of the Harrisburg, Pa., sale, a big time bargain in both MacDonald and Arsenault’s eyes.
“It’s a funny story. He thought he’d go for around $25,000 after he bought him. He thought there must have been something wrong with him. He found Islander Earl Smith and asked him to look at him,” explained Arsenault.
MacDonald thought he must have missed something with the horse’s makeup.
“Earl said there wasn’t a thing wrong with him,” Arsenault laughed.
He left Arsenault’s barn on July 9, 2011, for Ontario, where Islander Dr. Ian Moore would take over the training duties
Two months after arriving there, State Treasurer paced his way into the $1 million Metro Pace final.
“I knew he was a nice colt, but I never dreamed he’d be racing in the Metro Pace two months after he left here,” said Arsenault.
He finished eighth in the final after some rough racing luck. Since then, he has raced in the North American Cup, Confederation Cup and even won the Molson Pace.
Next on that list is the Gold Cup and Saucer.
State Treasurer has returned to P.E.I., standing in the exact same stall he learned his early lessons in, only this time there is a few changes.
He now has $394,691 in earnings, nine victories and a race record of 149.1. MacDonald’s wife Sally and nephew Paul are now the owners and Arsenault isn’t his trainer.
Instead, Arsenault will handle the driving duties in tonight’s Gold Cup and Saucer Trial 1 at the Charlottetown Driving Park, from the rail.
“It’s unbelievable to get this chance, for these people to put me back down to drive that’s a thrill in itself,” said Arsenault.
This isn’t your typical Gold Cup and Saucer story.
“Not just being in it but to develop the colt and teach him his early lessons and now to drive him in the Gold Cup and Saucer, it’s something you dream about.”
MacDonald said it’s all just been a ride that they are trying to enjoy.
“It’s hard to describe the thrill of this horse, we never expected this. He’s taken us to tracks we’ve never been to and given us the chance to meet people we would have never gotten the chance to meet.”
Arsenault is going into tonight’s trial with one thing on his mind.
“Just get him in the final. If you aren’t in the big show, there isn’t much point in being here. He has a good post and eliminations are always tougher than finals.”
The 53-year-old Charlottetown native has been in the big dance three times before, but this time it would be different.
“This horse has potential to win the Gold Cup, but we need a lot of racing luck, the Gold Cup you need a lot of racing luck.”
Arsenault said everything that leads up to the race makes it even more special.
“The hype going into the race is unbelievable. The final hurrah is the spotlight. With the spotlight on you, you can’t see anything, all you can do is listen.”
Last year, Moore trained the Gold Cup winner Eighteen and this year State Treasurer is standing in the same stall and has the same post position as Eighteen did in his trial.
Arsenault said he is hoping if he makes the final he can draw like Eighteen did. too — Post 1.
“I’m just so happy for the owners and the horse, they're great people and, hopefully, it works out.”
Arsenault only had a few words when asked what it would mean to win the Gold Cup and Saucer with State Treasurer.
“A dream come true.”
*****
Kenny Arsenault
Age: 53.
Silks: Green and white.
Wins: 2,681.
Earnings: $4,555,728.
Gold Cup Appearances - 3.
Favorite Gold Cup Race: 1976, Power Baron.
Trial 1 Starters
1. State Treasurer, K. Arsenault
2. R Caan, G. Barrieau
3. Mach It Big, B. Forward
4. Escape The News, Ma Campbell
5. Amazon Art, J. Drury
6. Nakai Hanover, J. Hughes
7. Up The Credit, C. Jamieson