Kingsport faces short field in Steady Growth Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The durable 7-year-old Kingsport should be favored to make his season debut a winning one in Saturday’s $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes at Woodbine.

Kingsport had his most productive campaign in 2018, winning four restricted stakes in eight starts. Three of them were on the Tapeta, and he captured his first stakes on turf in the Bunty Lawless in October.

Trainer Sid Attard said Kingsport spent the winter in Ontario at Goldmart Farm, which owns him in partnership with Royal Laser Racing.

“He came into the track in good shape, and he’s been going very good,” Attard said. His works “were very strong. Most years, he needs a race or two because he gets too big over the winter. I doubt that he’ll need one this year. He’s a nice old horse, and we love him.”

Kingsport breezed five-eighths in 59 seconds and change in each of his last two drills. Both were under Patrick Husbands, who was sidelined by injury when Luis Contreras rode Kingsport to victory in his last start in the Dec. 2 Sir Barton Stakes, going the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Steady Growth.

“Patrick is very happy with the way he’s been working,” Attard said.

Just four other older Ontario-sired runners were entered in the Steady Growth, race 3 on an excellent 11-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kingsport, by Milwaukee Brew
Last 3 Beyers: 96-85-95

◗ He was a Sovereign Award finalist last year – not for his accomplishments but in the outstanding photograph category for a head shot of him that was taken by his biggest fan, the award-winning writer Hayley Morrison.

Thor’s Rocket, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-94

◗ He gave Kingsport all he could handle in the one-mile Bunty Lawless, rallying strongly to hit the front in midstretch, only to give way late and lose by a neck. He subsequently won the restricted Overskate Stakes over seven furlongs on the Tapeta and has been idle since ending up third in the Sir Barton.

◗ Trainer Paul Buttigieg has worked him regularly since April, including three-quarters in 1:13.80 on May 21.

Cooler Mike, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 80-78-64

◗ He was third in the first two legs of the 2018 Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen’s Plate and the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. Following a nine-month layoff April 27, he finished fifth in a second-level optional claimer, and he is coming off a third at that level.

Nipigon, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 48-73-84

◗ Another making his first start of the year, the 7-year-old finished fifth in a tough renewal of last year’s Steady Growth, won by Mr Havercamp.