Veteran Kingsport looks tough in Steady Growth Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kingsport has been one of the unheralded runners at Woodbine, but the robust 6-year-old merits top billing in Saturday’s $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired stock.

Kingsport got a career high 96 Beyer Speed Figure in his decisive score Dec. 2 in the Sir Barton Stakes, which was run under identical terms as the Steady Growth.

After Kingsport missed the first half of the 2017 meet, trainer Sid Attard said it took a while for Kingsport to find his best stride last year.

“He was in a stall for a long time, doing nothing,” Attard said. “He’s a big son of a gun. He had a problem and needed some time off, so we gave it to him. We did the right thing.”

When returning from a five-month break May 5 in the allowance prep for the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes, Kingsport finished a respectable fourth after getting away slowly and racing four wide.

“He ran good that day,” Attard said. “He came out of the race very good. He had a nice breeze. That race will set him up really good.”

A good field of 11 was drawn for the Steady Growth, which is carded as the eighth race.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kingsport, by Milwaukee Brew
Last 3 Beyers: 86-96-81

◗ After facing the likes of two-time Canadian champion older male Are You Kidding Me and millionaire Melmich in the Eclipse prep, he’s getting some class relief here under Patrick Husbands, who rode him to victory in the 2015 Deputy Minister Stakes.

Mr Havercamp, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 92-101-89

◗ He was a finalist for Canadian champion male 3-year-old last year, when he won a pair of one-mile Ontario-sired stakes on turf. He has been idle since ending up second (demoted to seventh for interference) as the favorite in the Sir Barton.

Nipigon, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 81-88-87

◗ The Chiefswood Stables homebred was third in last year’s Steady Growth. He has been laid up since finishing fourth behind victorious Mr Havercamp in the Oct. 21 Bunty Lawless Stakes.

Keen Gizmo, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 68-75-82

◗ He notched his first stakes win in the 2017 Steady Growth, but hasn’t been competitive since while being campaigned sporadically.

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-71

◗ The 6-year-old romped in the 2016 Steady Growth, when in the midst of a six-race win streak. He’s winless in his last eight outings, however, and is stretching out off a belated fourth in an optional-claiming turf sprint.