Steady Growth Stakes
Race #2 1 1/16m Dirt Stake
Purse $100.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In ON.

1  Bannister  Night Rider Stables  Wilson E J

Like so many in this stable he was claimed pretty cheaply and then aimed high and he very nearly pulled off a stakes win in the Buckeye Native when running a game second. All of his races recently have been on turf and it seems his trainer was so disappointed by his last place finish in the City of Hope Mile last time that they decided to bring him back to dirt in the hope of finding some hidden talent. As a five year old there shouldn’t be too many secrets to find though and one feels that he should give a good account he may find one or two too good.

2  Snake Eyez  Gdp Inc  Boulanger G

He has been fairly good in some competitive overnights and one feels he has some more potential just under the surface. A strong worker he has something to prove over this trip but if he gets an economical run from this draw he may see it out OK. There are definitely questions but he has the ability if things go his way.

3  Puissance de La Mer  Big Guns Stables  Husbands P

When this one finished a close third in the grade one BG Stakes at the start of the year it looked like he was building to a big year. Since then however he has been largely disappointing and remains a bit of a conundrum. There have been some good efforts at the top level but when dropped in grade he couldn’t follow through and remains with just that one placing in nine attempts this year. If the magic formula can be found he certainly has the ability to win.

4  The Chieftain  Glorify Stables  Crawford J

Only four starts for one win this three year old looks out of his depth at this level. However this is HRP so form means very little and there are a few things to suggest he may be a serious contender. I like the fact that he seems to be improving both on the race course and in his works and the high level maidens that he has run in were certainly as competitive as this field. I think this may be the dark horse in the field.

5  Deactivation  Mb Stables  Hernandez R M

He has managed to out live his name and has in fact looked pretty good to the point where i would probably make him favorite to win this race. All of his recent races are on turf but even Mb uses the old switcherooney now and again and knows a sudden switch in surface can often pull out a big effort. His recent work certainly says he wont hate dirt and his good second in The Saranac certainly says he has the ability and class required. I think he stays the trip better than most of these and could well give Mb a little present to go under the tree.

SUMMARY

Deactivation looks the one here, if i was going to box him up in a trifecta for some value i would put him with The Chieftain and Snake Eyez

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded