How to bet the 2022 Steady Growth Stakes

A total of eight Ontario-bred runners will vie in Sunday’s C$100,000 Steady Growth S. at Woodbine. The closing-day feature will be contested on the main strip at 1 1/16 miles and is led by recent Kennedy Road S. (G2) winner #8 Candy Overload (8-5). Trained by Mark Casse, the gelding has run a pair of good ones since joining this barn and will attempt to successfully stretch out in distance on this day.

Candy Overload has displayed a consistently strong turn of foot when traveling one turn, and while he’s a question mark at the trip, I have confidence that the son of Reload will prosper in this spot in his second showing off the short layoff. Sahin Civaci will be in the silks atop the bay and rallying him from off the early tempo.

The race lacks speed in a big way, and I envision that #1 Dun Drum (5-1) will take advantage of his inner post slot to take the early edge for conditioner Ian Black. A four-time winner on the synthetic surface locally, the six-year-old owns a tally at the trip and comes in with a bullet four-furlong morning drill on the course last weekend.

The dark bay gelding has displayed a measure of tactical speed on various occasions in the past, and the Ontario-bred will be involved early if he runs to his latest breeze. Emma-Jayne Wilson retains the mount atop the win threat.

#4 Artie’s Storm (2-1) has compiled a fine 11-4-4-2 mark at Woodbine and looms a major danger if he puts forth his top effort on Sunday. Trained by Paul Buttigieg, the son of We Miss Artie was a smart winner of the race in 2021 and owns a Grade 2 score on the oval, as well. The dark bay gelding has won or placed in five of six outings on the oval in his career, and if he stays in touch to the top of the stretch against this cast, then he will be one to hold off late. David Moran will be in the stirrups guiding the four-year-old.

Steady Growth Selections

1. Candy Overload
2. Dun Drum
3. Artie’s Storm

Steady Growth Wagers

• $10 win and place #8 Candy Overload ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 8 with 1,4 ($20)
• $2 trifecta box 1,4,8 ($12)