A funny thing happened at Louisiana Downs yesterday

“A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum” opened a highly successful two-year run on Broadway in 1962 and in the 58 years since has spawned a myriad of “A funny thing happened on the way to” stories, editorials, columns, TV skits and much more.

With that in mind, a funny thing happened to Shar’s Treasure leaving the gate in the fourth race at Louisiana Downs yesterday. In his first four career races, three as a 2-year-old last year and the fourth in Louisiana on July 13, the Treasure Beach gelding had been taken so far back in the early going that he had been left with virtually no chance to win. The funny thing that happened yesterday in an $18,000 maiden special on the grass was that first-time rider Jose Guerrero shot Shar’s Treasure right to the lead, and except for a brief moment when a rival came up alongside him early on the backstretch, the outcome was never in doubt.

Shar’s Treasure opened up daylight on the turn and left the field behind in the stretch, completing his wire-to-wire score 3 1/2 lengths in front. He raced 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:33.87, paid a whopping $68.40, and collected a check for $10,800. He also gave Treasure Beach winner No. 26 this year, and vaulted the surging stallion past $704,000 in earnings.