Mr Havercamp faces older runners in Bunty Lawless

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The gifted sophomore Mr Havercamp will take on older Ontario-sired opposition as the probable favorite in Saturday’s $125,000 Bunty Lawless Stakes, a one-mile turf route at Woodbine.

Mr Havercamp took his seven-furlong debut on the main track in a rapid clocking July 21 and then doubled up convincingly in an Ontario-sired allowance route on the grass Aug. 13.

Mr Havercamp was bet down to 3-1 in the Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga on Sept. 2 and had a troubled inside trip before checking in a respectable fifth behind Voodoo Song. Most recently, against Ontario-sired 3-year-olds in the one-mile Vice Regent Stakes, he got away slowly before closing from farther back than usual to prevail by a length over a rejuvenated King and His Court.

“He’s had a few tough races in a row, between shipping to Saratoga and then coming back and running right away in the Vice Regent Stakes,” said trainer Catherine Day Phillips. “He just jogged for a week, and we’ve been pretty light with him. He had his first breeze back since the Vice Regent, and it was really good. We’re very happy with him.”

Leading rider Eurico Da Silva retains the mount. His 29 stakes scores this year aren’t far off the meet record of 36.

Seven others were entered in the Bunty Lawless, including the supplemented Internal Bourbon, the lone female in the lineup.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mr Havercamp, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-87

◗ He could be viewed as a contender for Canadian champion 3-year-old male honors, along with Grade 3 Ontario Derby winner Tiz a Slam and Breeders’ Stakes winner Channel Maker.

San Nicola Thunder, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 91-94-98

◗ The 2014 Bunty Lawless victor has won 4 of 6 races and more than $200,000 since being claimed by Jim Ensom for $40,000 from his season opener. Trainer Marty Drexler is stretching him out off back-to-back six-furlong scores in optional-claiming company.

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 70-87-78

◗ Last year’s Bunty Lawless winner, he won 4 of 5 starts in 2016 but is winless in five outings this year. His best effort of the season was a second to the eventual Grade 3 winner Ikerrin Road in an Aug. 20 optional claimer on the Tapeta.

Call Me Wally, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 94-89-70

◗ One of Woodbine’s best work horses, the flashy chestnut has been idle since capturing his second straight six-furlong allowance on the grass Aug. 13.