Live Oak Plantation's classy homebred Holding Gold started his 2018 campaign with a stylish win in the $50,000 Colonel Power S. on the Fair Grounds turf course.

The winner didn't get an ideal trip in the “about” 5 1/2-furlong contest. In behind horses early on, he was forced to go some six-wide going into the turn. Despite being out in the middle of the course all the way around the bend, jockey John Velazquez had his mount in the clear for the stretch run and had plenty left at the end to wear down Will Call to win by a half-length in 1:03.60 (VIDEO).

“That’s why we’re here, the five-and-a-half-furlong distance,” trainer Mark Casse said. “I think (trainer) Brad (Cox’s) horse (Will Call) that he beat is a pretty good horse. I know my other horse Flashaway (who ran third) is a good horse too.”

“Lots of things didn’t go right and he was still able to win,” Casse added. “I think Johnny decided in the end to just go around.”

Holding Gold earned the bulk of his $402,095 last year, when he won or placed in three stakes, including the Shakertown S. (G2) at Keeneland, as race he could contest again this year. 

Holding Gold is out of Live Oak's mare In the Gold, winner of the Gazelle (G1) and Beaumont S. (G2).