Where’s the Widget, owned by Mary Biamonte and trained by Ralph Biamonte, romped to an emphatic eight-length score in the $125,000 Steady Growth Stakes, the Victoria Day Holiday Monday feature at Woodbine.
The Giant Gizmo gelding, bred in Ontario by Pamela Edel, arrived in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event in top form having won three consecutive races.
Eurico da Silva wasted little time in putting his charge on the lead, cruising to the front early from the outside post nine. The duo took the field through an opening quarter-mile in :23.89 and were still comfortably in front after a half-mile notched in :48.39.
As his rivals began to make their bid through the turn, Where’s the Widget, with little urging from da Silva, sprinted away as the field straightened for home, coasting to a seemingly effortless score in the 15th running of the Steady Growth, stopping the clock in a final running time of 1:45.21.
It was fourth straight triumph and first stakes win for the dark bay, who now has seven trips to the winner’s circle from 18 starts, accompanied by a pair of seconds and three thirds.
It was fourth win on the afternoon for Da Silva, who left soon after the race for a plane taking him to Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania to ride Noholdingback Bear in the Tom Ridge Stakes Monday night.
Biamonte, who himself had three wins on the Woodbine card, said the signs were there for a dominating performance for Where’s the Widget.
“This horse was training really well all winter in Florida,” Biamonte said. “She grew a lot. The first time Eurico got on him this year, he couldn’t get over the difference and he was a pretty good horse last year. He told me from Day 1, this is going to be one of the better horses up here; fortunately, he was right. I thought there were some really nice horses in there. I said to Eurico there’s going to be a lot of speed, he told me he doesn’t have to be on the lead, which he doesn’t, but I’d rather have him out there.”
Where’s the Widget returned $10, $4.60 and $3.80, pairing with Freitag ($3.50, $2.80) for a $30.80 exactor. Chris’ Brew ($6.80 to show) rounded out the $249.40 triactor.
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