How to bet the Steady Growth Stakes

A total of nine Ontario-bred runners will go 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $150,000 Steady Growth S. at Woodbine. A close third in the race in 2023, #4 Ron’s Gizmo has been in solid form since the summer and will get the slight nod in the well-matched group. 

Steady Growth Wager

• $15 exacta 4 with 6,7 ($30)

Conditioned by Ronald Sadler, the gelding dominated allowance foes on the strip three back on September 14, which preceded a huge second behind Dresden Row in the Durham Cup S. (G3) two races ago. The son of Giant Gizmo contested a 1 3/8-mile allowance race on the lawn in his latest performance and wisely cuts back in distance and returns to his preferred surface, too. He possesses a fine turn of foot but also has a hint of versatility in his running style, so Rafael Hernandez will have options throughout. 

Defending champ #7 Secret Reserve is winless over his last eight attempts, but the six-year-old had a decent prep in a seven-furlong heat on the oval last time and looks like an exotics piece at a price. The Michael Mattine trainee, who finished a nice third in the King Edward S. (G2) on the turf in the summer, is more than capable on his best day and also comes in with two bullet morning drills in succession. If the son of Giant Gizmo runs to his works, then he will be in contention late beneath Eswan Flores. 

Niagara S. victor #6 Lac Macaza was an allowance winner in his most recent run on the Tapeta and exits a sixth-place result in the grassy Singspiel S. (G3) at 1 3/8 miles for conditioner Julia Carey. Also by Giant Gizmo, the five-year-old gelding has five career tallies on the strip, and the bay also has the tactical speed to get the jump on the deep closing contenders in the contest, as well. I envision this one tracking the tempo from third or fourth to the top of the lane with Sahin Civaci inheriting the ride. 

I’m taking a stand against Lake Ontario S. winner #5 No More Options in the contest. The sophomore has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in four straight while obviously in good form, but his best efforts have come on the lawn and he faces a tall task while facing his elders here.