It’s no stretch, nor is it an eye-rolling pun, to say that Jason Castellan has come up aces with two-year-old pacing filly Aceandaten.

When a field of 10 lines up behind the starter car for Saturday night’s (Oct. 10) $350,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Super Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Castellan, owner of 7-2 morning-line Aceandaten, admits he’ll have a difficult time maintaining a poker face throughout the race.

“I like to think I’ll be stoic, but I’m not sure that’s going to be the case,” said Castellan. “It’s easy to get swept up in the emotion of watching your horse in a big race.”

Castellan had that same thought on Oct. 3, when Aceandaten, a daughter of Cattlewash out of Dreamin Girl, captured her $150,000 OSS Gold Series leg in a career-best 1:51, punctuated by a :26.1 final quarter.

“When she was coming down the stretch, I was in disbelief,” said Castellan. “It was like I was having an out-of-body experience. My mom was there – she has no skin in the game – and she was screaming and hollering, just like moms do for their sons throughout their life.

“There are so many things that can happen during a race, especially in the late going – a horse coming from way out of it and passing everyone in the last seconds – but Doug [McNair] gave her a great drive, and it was an amazing feeling.”

Castellan, a 14-year director on the board of the Grand River Agricultural Society, hopes to relive that feeling on a stakes-stacked OSS card Saturday night under the lights.

“I’m very excited. I have friends who have been in the horse racing industry for 25 years and a friend of mine, Murray Cox, who just won the Little Brown Jug, he is ecstatic. And here I am, doing this so early on in my horse ownership. To be in this position at this early stage is something I’m truly grateful for.”

Bred by Tara Hills Stud Ltd. of Port Perry, Ont. and Bellevue Farms of Sagamore Beach, Ma., Aceandaten sports a 3-2-1 mark from nine starts, accompanied by $177,404 in purse earnings.

A $70,000 purchase at the 2025 London Classic Yearling Sale, the bay filly tipped her hand early on after a trio of impressive qualifiers leading up to her runner-up debut in an OSS Gold Leg on July 3.

Her breakthrough came in her fifth start when she notched a 4-1/2-length score in an OSS Grassroots Leg on Aug. 16.

She made it two straight winner’s circle trips after winning another OSS Grassroots Leg eight days later.

After a third in the Grade 3 Champlain Stakes on Sept. 12, Aceandaten was fifth, albeit only 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner in the Grade 1 Shes A Great Lady final, a race that saw her put in an impressive rally despite being saddled with the post 11.

Aceandaten is part of Team McNair, led by trainer Gregg McNair, who has already secured the Johnston Cup standings, and driver Doug McNair, who has been in the race bike for all of the filly’s starts.

Castellan’s daughter, Willow, serves as Aceandaten’s caretaker.

“I love her so much,” said Willow. “She is my princess. She has a really big personality, and she is definitely not the easiest horse to look after. That might partially be my fault because I spoil her and let her get away with a little too much.

“There has always been something about a sassy pacing filly that I love. She has come a long way this season. We have put a lot of work into her. The whole team has done a lot with her, so it’s nice to see all that teamwork pay off.”

Willow has asked her father for one guarantee with Aceandaten.

“I told my dad probably a million times that he can never sell her – she is mine forever. We’ll build her a big paddock and she’s coming home with me.”

For now, the focus for everyone connected to the filly is on her latest assignment.

Saturday night will be a family affair in every sense for the Castellans.

“We are going to have a lot of family and friends with us on Saturday night,” said Jason. “A lot of those coming out don’t know much about racing, but they want to be there to support us and enjoy the moment. Having those you are closest with get to come along for the ride makes it even more special.”

The co-founder and CEO of The Skyline Group of Companies – the company, headquartered in Guelph, is a Canadian capital management firm that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of real estate and renewable infrastructure assets – said he is hopeful for more success to come in his ownership role.

Jason, who owns a third of two Standardbreds with trainer and friend Bruce Richardson, co-owns Smilin Pete, a three-year-old pacing son of All Bets Off, with Doug McNair.

“Here I am, now part of this great industry in terms of ownership, just loving it. This is what keeps the competitive fire alive in your soul. I feel I have a great team with Willow and the McNair family and everyone who is part of their operation.”

The proud owner of Aceandaten would love to see others follow suit and enjoy all that racing has to offer.

“It’s a great sport and the racetrack is a great place to go. There is no entrance fee. You show up, maybe have a beer, put down a few bets and have a lot of fun, including the social aspect of it. I have been woken up to it, and it is such a fun thing to be part of. I think people are missing out if they don’t give it a try.”

For now, Castellan is hoping his prized filly can be dealt a winning hand on Saturday.

“We know she is in tough, but we will be there to cheer her on every step of the way.”

First-race post time at Mohawk is 6:30 p.m. To view Saturday's complete harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(With files from Ontario Racing)