Old Chestnut goes gate-to-wire in Ontario Racing S. at Woodbine

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).

Old Chestnut dominates the 2019 Ontario Racing S. – Michael Burns photo