Ron’s Gizmo. (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Ron’s Gizmo, the 6-5 choice, got up late to take Sunday’s $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes, for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up, at 1 1/16 miles on the Woodbine main track.
Maakwa and Secret Reserve, last year’s Steady Growth winner, broke sharply and dueled for the early lead into the first turn, with Maakwa gaining the upper hand. The 6-year-old son of Giant Gizmo held a one-length advantage over Secret Reserve through an opening panel in :23.57, while Rafael Hernandez, aboard Ron’s Gizmo, was last of nine in the early going.
It was status quo on the front end after a half in :47.27, as Maakwa and Secret Reserve continued to lead the way, with their closest pursuer, Dun Drum, 5 ½ lengths behind.
Turning for home, Ron’s Gizmo, who had advanced to fifth, still had work to do to collar the lead pair, while also contending with No More Options, on a two-win race streak, who was full of run in between rivals in upper stretch.
Fourth at the stretch call, Hernandez called on Ron’s Gizmo for his best run and the 7-year-old gelding responded, getting up to win by a half-length over No More Options, who was a head in front of Secret Reserve. Maakwa finished fourth.
The final time was 1:43.45.
Ron Sadler, who trains the son of Giant Gizmo out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Street Kid for owners Linda Theil and Harri Hosein, had a couple of anxious moments to contend with, one early and one late.
“I was having a heart attack,” said Sadler of the final strides to the finish line. “Raffi told me he was having a little trouble in the first turn – the horse almost went down – a little traffic trouble or whatever. But Raffi didn’t panic and kept him to his job.”
Prior to the Steady Growth, Ron’s Gizmo had contested just two stakes, the first coming when he was third 2023 Steady Growth, and the other a second in the Grade 3 Durham Cup, on Sept. 28.
The dark bay, who stands well over 17 hands, is now 8-4-3 from 31 starts. He has finished outside the top five only three times since his debut on Aug. 6, 2020.
Unraced at 2, Ron’s Gizmo broke his maiden in his third start, on Sept. 13, 2020, a three-quarter length score at 20-1 over 1 1/16 miles on the E.P. Taylor turf.
Bred by Kanny Ng, Ron’s Gizmo paid $4.50 for the Steady Growth score.
Woodbine’s 2024 meet concluded Sunday with Sahin Civaci winning his first Toronto oval riding title with 170 victories. Notable wins on the year included the Grade 2 King Edward with Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) and Grade 2 Eclipse with Palazzi.
Mark Casse topped the trainer leaderboard for the 16th time courtesy of 108 wins, including a Woodbine record 33 stakes triumphs.
