Where's the Widget collects first win on turf in Bunty Lawless
ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Where’s the Widget capped a six-race win streak in style on Saturday at Woodbine, leading all the way in the $125,400 Bunty Lawless Stakes under Eurico Da Silva.
Over a turf course labeled as “good”, Where’s the Widget ($9.20) set moderate fractions in the one-mile event. A stalking Nipigon took dead aim in the final furlong, but Where’s the Widget held his ground and prevailed by a neck, in a time of 1:36.27. Lukewarm favorite Seffeara finished third in the nine-horse field of Ontario-sired runners.
It was the first turf victory for Where’s the Widget, who earned $75,000 in his first outing since a starter allowance score July 2, a race which trainer Ralph Biamonte was reluctant to allow him to run.
“I was almost ready to scratch him that day,” Biamonte recalled. “There was something that wasn’t right. If he had gotten beat that day, I would have felt terrible, because I didn’t think he was 100 percent. I thought he was about 75 percent going into the race.”
Biamonte said Where’s the Widget’s turf prowess wasn’t as bad as his record had indicated.
“The one time on turf, he ran second and got disqualified,” Biamonte said. “We weren’t going to the lead in those races. We’ve found he’s much better when he’s on or near the lead.”
Where’s the Widget, a son of Giant Gizmo, earned $75,000 for owner Mary Biamonte, the wife of the trainer.