Maxsmiraclejourney gets more ground in Steady Growth Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Maxsmiraclejourney seems ready to put his best hoof forward on holiday Monday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Steady Growth Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile event for Ontario-sired runners.

Trainer Kevin Attard claimed Maxsmiraclejourney for $25,000 from his final 2015 outing. The horse, now 4, didn’t graduate until last July and then improved in the fall, capturing two allowances. The son of Grade 1-winning turf miler Victor’s Cry completed his season Nov. 26 with a half-length loss to Freitag going 1 1/16 miles in the restricted Sir Barton Stakes.

“It seemed like once we got to stretch him out, things started to fall in place for him,” Attard said. “We always thought with his pedigree, that he’d want to route.”

Attard felt that Maxsmiraclejourney needed his comeback April 29, when he ran sixth in a seven-furlong optional claimer.

“Obviously, our goal was to run in this race,” Attard said. “I expected him to run better than he did, but a couple of horses came out of that race to run well. He’s come back with a couple of good breezes. Hopefully, when we stretch him out Monday, we’ll see a better horse.”

Ten races have been carded for Victoria Day, with first post at 1 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Maxsmiraclejourney, by Victor’s Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 76-92-83

DRF Formulator fact: Over the past five years, Attard has a 15 percent strike rate with runners going from a sprint to a route in the second start after a layoff of at least 45 days, with a return on investment of $4.96.

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 76-89-78

◗ He rode a speed bias to an eight-length score in last year’s Steady Growth, earning a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. He subsequently won a $25,000 starter allowance and then capped a six-race win streak in the Bunty Lawless Stakes. The 5-year-old has been idle since finishing up the track in the Sir Barton. He has won off a layoff thrice before and has been working fast for trainer Ralph Biamonte.

Keen Gizmo, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 89-79-85

◗ After taking his 2015 season opener in an Ontario-sired allowance route, the flashy chestnut was promoted from third to second by disqualification in the Steady Growth. He was seventh in last year’s Steady Growth and has been laid up since finishing fourth in the Sir Barton.

Nipigon, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 79-90-67

◗ He didn’t show much in two starts this year at Gulfstream and Keeneland but had some success here on the Tapeta last summer.