Ron's Gizmo notches first stakes win with Steady Growth

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The popular Ron’s Gizmo got his much-deserved first stakes win in the final added-money event of the Woodbine meet in Sunday’s $100,500 Steady Growth for Ontario-sired runners.

With Rafael Hernandez aboard, Ron’s Gizmo got shuffled back to last between rivals on the first turn in the 1 1/16-mile event. Maakwa set a fast pace while being pressed by last year’s Steady Growth winner, Secret Reserve, who eventually hit the front in midstretch.

Ron’s Gizmo commenced a four-wide rally heading into the far turn and then closed in unison with No More Options in the stretch, scoring by a half-length in a quick time of 1:43.45.

Secret Reserve edged out No More Options for second. Maakwa faded to fourth and was followed by Rapid Test, Lac Macaza, Allegorical, Dun Drum and Mason’s Gamble.

Winning trainer Ron Sadler said there were a few tense moments early for him when his namesake trailed the field.

“I was having a heart attack,” Sadler joked. “Raffie told me he had a little trouble in the first turn and the horse almost went down - a little traffic trouble, whatever. But Raffie didn’t panic, kept him to his job and, wow, down the lane.”

Ron’s Gizmo ($4.50) earned $60,000 for the partnership of Linda Theil and Harri Hasein, who claimed the huge son of Giant Gizmo for $25,000 two years ago. The win boosted the 7-year-old gelding’s bankroll to $477,095.

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