San Nicola Thunder peaking ahead of Steady Growth

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – San Nicola Thunder could be peaking in time for Saturday’s $125,000 Steady Growth Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired runners at Woodbine.

San Nicola Thunder won two middle-distance stakes among 10 starts in 2014. This year, he finished third in both the New Providence Stakes and the allowance prep for that six-furlong sprint.

“He’s 5 years old, and he’s getting better,” trainer John Cardella said. “From the time I had him as a 2-year-old until now, he’s gotten a lot better at doing everything. A mile and a sixteenth is his best distance. I think he’s got a big shot to win.”

Key contenders

San Nicola Thunder (Last 3 Beyers: 84-71-71)

* Cardella possesses solid numbers with stretch-outs, scoring at a 21 percent clip since the beginning of last year.

Pender Harbour (Last 3 Beyers: 80-83-76)

* The durable millionaire won the Steady Growth in 2012 and 2014 after capturing the final two legs of the 2011 Canadian Triple Crown. He was fourth following a winter layoff in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes on May 17.

“His last race was a good prep, going seven-eighths against some of the best sprinters on the grounds,” trainer Mike DePaulo said. “I think he should run pretty good. He’s good and sound. We did throat surgery on him before he ran this year. He had an ulcer in his throat. He was displacing his palate, and we got that fixed.”

Millioninthemaking (Last 3 Beyers: 83-85-86)

* The late bloomer was ineffective in conditioned-claiming sprints before improving by leaps and bounds last November, when he won two 1 1/16-mile allowances.

* Trainer Abraham Katryan has been pointing to the Steady Growth. He said he was hoping to get there after a seven-furlong tune-up but was forced to run him long off the layoff to ensure his races were spaced out. The gelding lost that $12,500 starter by a nose.

“He runs good fresh,” Katryan said. “I was just waiting for this race. We’ll see if he fits. He came around last year when he found his niche going two turns. He’s happy right now, so I have to take a shot.”

Ultimate Destiny (Last 3 Beyers: 86-89-84)

* The 2013 Steady Growth winner was a belated fourth in his season opener in a seven-furlong optional claimer.

Asserting Bear (Last 3 Beyers: 83-87-76)

* Last year’s Marine Stakes winner has been sidelined since a front-running third behind Lexie Lou in the July 6 Queen’s Plate.