Decorated Invader punches BC Juvenile Turf ticket in Summer Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Decorated Invader punched his ticket to the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita when capturing Sunday’s Grade 1 Summer Stakes, a BC Win and You’re In qualifier, under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Decorated Invader missed the break by a length or two in the one-mile turf route before settling into mid-pack about five lengths off the 109-1 leader Cadet Connelly.

Decorated Invader began to mount a wide rally exiting the turn, and then collared Cadet Connelly inside the eighth pole before drawing clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:36.34 over the yielding ground.

The supplement Cadet Connelly held on for second, while running just a week after his graduation. Vitalogy finished a head back in third, while the favored Mystic Lancelot wound up ninth in the 10-horse field.

“He’s only had three races, so I think he’s getting better and better,” Ortiz said. “Today, I really liked the way he did it. He did everything right. Hopefully, he’ll keep learning.”

Decorated Invader ($6.80) banked $150,000 of the $251,300 purse for the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, and William Sandbrook. Christophe Clement trains the son of Declaration of War, who won his maiden at Saratoga in August.

► Old Chestnut ($4.50) shrugged off a pressing Aye Aye Sir during a front-running score in Sunday’s $107,400 Ontario Racing Stakes. Barilko came inside from third to finish second, 3 3/4 lengths behind the winner, who covered the five furlongs in 56.85 seconds on the firm inner course.

Tyler Gaffalione rode the Mark Casse-trained Old Chestnut, a son of Speightstown, who banked $60,000 for Live Oak Plantation.