Saturday June 6th, 2009 - Steady Growth Stakes (An Ontario Sire Stakes), Three-Year-Olds & Upward, One Mile and One-Sixteenth

History Lesson: There isn't much to tell about the race that made it's first running in Canadian thoroughbred racing in 1997. It has always been run at Woodbine Racetrack at a distance of one mile and one-sixteenth. Last year's addition would see Dancer's Bajan take the wire with Corey Fraser aboard. This would be owner 3 Sons Racing fourth victory in the history of the race, the other three coming with Barbeau Ruckus who holds the honor of most wins by a horse. However, the inaugural race in '97 would see a time of 1:42.20 set by Deputy Inxs and that time has yet to be beaten over the past eleven years.

Steady Growth Stakes, 2009: This year's field of competitors is rather small at six. Of course, there is no reason not to get excited to see a few of these boys battle it out for the $125,000 purse, as last year's winner Dancer's Bajan comes looking to repeat. Other notables include Yummy With Butter and Michael's Bad Boy who have both started the '09 season at Woodbine rather well.

Here is a look at the field by post position:

1 Yummy With Butter by Silvador out of Sophisticatedbagel (Kris S.) Own: Bruno Schickendanz, Trainer: Mark Fournier, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

2 Me the Sea and G T by Dance to Destiny out of G T's Miss Gretch (Accelerator) Own: G T Heat Stable, Trainer: Steve Owens, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro

3 Dancer's Bajan by Trajectory out of Thoughtful Deed (Alydeed) Own: 3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd., Trainer: Robert Tiller, Jockey: Patrick Husbands

4 Michael's Bad Boy by Wonneberg out of Fair Ascot (Ascot Knight) Own: Joan C. Agro, Trainer: Nick Gonzalez, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva

5 Somarvelous by Kinshasa out of High Que (Smarten) Own: Audre Cappucitti, Trainer: Audre Cappucitti, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy

6 Gone Trajectory by Trajectory out of Just Elated (Bold Ruckus) Own: Firestone Farms Ltd., Trainer: David Bell, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson

The Skinny: With such a small field, this looks like a no brainer, right? Not necessarily as we see a couple in here that will contend quite well with reigning champ Dancer's Bajan.

Why not start with the champ. Dancer's Bajan is coming into this as his second start from the winter layoff and will most definitely improve with the distance of the Steady Growth. A steady earner with eight lifetime wins, Dancer's Bajan will be the one to beat even with the added weight; he carries 124lbs. He finished sixth in his first start of the season, though it was a little short and a stumbled start, the big horse still only missed the winner by three and three-quarters of a length in the New Providence on May 9th. He has beaten rivals Yummy With Butter and Michael's Bad Boy in this race last season and should be ready for conditioner Bob Tiller to do it again this year. Top choice for sure.

Gone Trajectory comes out for trainer Dave Bell in his third start off the shelf in '09. He can handle the distance with two life time wins at a mile and a sixteenth and he has breezed twice at five-eighths since the New Providence on May 9th, leaving us to believe he is fit and ready to go. This will be a nice race to gauge if this horse belongs in these stakes contests. Expect him to stalk and make a strong bid down the stretch. Outside chance.

Yummy With Butter has been very consistent in stakes competition over the last year, finishing in the money every race, though he has not won a stake yet. This will be his third start of the '09 schedule and first start of two-turns this year. He has proven he will compete at the mile and a sixteenth and should fit nicely into this field to pick up another cheque. Expect him to come from off the pace. Just maybe he wins this time?

Michael's Bad Boy is two for two this early season at Woodbine, with wins coming on both the poly and the turf for top trainer Nick Gonzalez. In those two races he has posted an 84 Beyer and an 88 over the turf, not too shabby. This horse will look to improve from last season's defeat in the Steady Growth, finishing well out, losing to Dancer's Bajan and Yummy With Butter. The nine-time winner will probably be the early pace-setter as he appears to have the early speed from this group. He sure does look good in here; hot horse, hot outfit, hot rider in Da Silva.

Somarvelous is sent out by owner/trainer Audre Cappucitti in his third start off the shelf. You may ask why he is in here, but, with such a small field and 125k up for grabs, why not? He has three lifetime wins in four tries at this distance and earnings of over 100k. Not sure what strategy Cappucitti will want here from Ramsammy and Somarvelous as nothing has worked over the horse's first to contests this season. Anything could happen, but probably won't.

Me the Sea and G T is another questionable starter in here, but really why not? This will be his fourth start of the year for trainer Steve Owens and second lifetime at the distance of a mile and a sixteenth. He finished poorly in his first try at two-turns with a sixth place finish and nine lengths out, but did improve on his Beyers bringing it up to a 76 from a 69 in the Queenston Stakes back on May 2nd. Can't imagine this guy is running for more than fourth money here, doesn't look appealing at all.

My Picks: 4-3-1

Please feel free to leave your picks and comments on the 13th running of the Steady Growth Stakes.