Sunday, September 15, 2019
Live Oak Plantation's homebred colt Old Chestnut drew off in the Woodbine stretch to win the $100,000 Ontario Racing S. by nearly four lengths in front-running style on Sunday afternoon.
The victory marked the first stakes win for the 2-year-old Speightstown colt.
Old Chestnut came out of the gate to establish a narrow lead over Aye Aye Sir through a quarter-mile in :21.77. Despite the fast early pace, Old Chestut began to increase his lead in midstretch and was sill drawing off when he hit the wire in :56.85 for the five furlongs on the firm turf.
After the win, trainer Mark Casse disclosed his plans for his newest stakes winner. “I thought about it for a little bit, and then thought maybe go here and then go to Keeneland (target there would be the Indian Summer, Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In,” at 5 ½ furlongs on turf). We won it last year with Strike Silver. That’s what kind of swayed my decision to come here. We’d go here, and then hopefully with a good performance there, he’d go to the Breeders’ Cup (on the first weekend in November).”
Old Chestnut actually made his career debut in the July 7 Victoria S. on the main track where he finished fifth. He then came back to break his maiden on the turf on Aug. 9 before Sunday's stakes score. He has now earned $78,885.
Old Chestnut is one of five winners out of Pool Land, who won the Ruffian H. (G1) and Allaire du Pont Breeders' Cup Distaff (G3).