Where's the Widget tries to cap perfect season in Sir Barton

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Where’s the Widget will try to complete a perfect campaign on Saturday in the $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes at Woodbine.

A 4-year-old trained by Ralph Biamonte, Where’s the Widget is unbeaten in four starts this year, all at the Woodbine meet.

Three weeks after landing a seven-furlong allowance in his May 1 season opener, he captured the restricted Steady Growth Stakes by eight lengths, earning a whopping 101 Beyer Speed Figure. The Steady Growth and Sir Barton both are at 1 1/16 miles for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up.

Where’s the Widget surprisingly was all out to win a $25,000 starter allowance July 2, then went to the bench for nearly four months. When he returned Oct. 22, he won on turf for the first time in the one-mile Bunty Lawless Stakes.

Biamonte said he had to give Where’s the Widget a break after reluctantly running him in the starter allowance.

“He strained something in behind,” Biamonte said. “We didn’t think it was that bad. That’s why I was debating whether or not to run him in that race. I thought he was only about 75 percent. He won but wasn’t himself, so we had to give him some time off. He came back as good as he’s ever been, maybe even better. He’ll be better this time than he was for the last race.”

The Sir Barton goes as race 8 on a 10-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 91-80-101

◗ He has won the majority of his races in front-running style under Eurico Da Silva, who is aboard on Saturday. But Biamonte said the gelding doesn’t need the lead.

“If it’s there, he’ll take it,” Biamonte said. “If not, I’ve got a rider who can really judge the pace. You can’t get anybody better than Eurico.”

Nevaeh’s Valentine, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 92-84-79

◗ The late bloomer could set the early fractions in his stakes debut. He wired first-level allowance opposition on the grass two back and has been freshened since a narrow loss to Oakton in a second-level optional claimer Sept. 23.

Freitag, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 93-97-94

◗ The win-shy closer has performed well in open stakes company since ending up second in the Steady Growth. He chased home the reigning Canadian champion older male, Are You Kidding Me, in his last two starts, finishing second in the Grade 3 Durham Cup and third in the Grade 2 Autumn.