What we learned: Rhyme Schemes rises to top of his class

Although many prep races lie ahead, the new favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile seems clear at this point. After his blowout win in the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special over five struggling opponents, Rhyme Schemes looks like the current torch bearer for the race.

Rhyme Schemes turned in a performance that was impressive in two specific ways. Instead of setting the pace this time, he proved he could stalk other horses. That lesson might help him in big races with need-the-lead speedballs lined up. After stalking the leaders, he also finished with the same ease as in his maiden win.

In his June 15 maiden win at Ellis Park, Rhyme Schemes set a slow pace with minor pressure before drawing off to win by 9 1/4 lengths.

Rhyme Schemes earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form and a 103 TimeformUS Speed Figure for the maiden romp at 5 1/2 furlongs. But sometimes horses need the lead to run their best. What if another horse wanted to go? In addition, he had the added challenge of an extra furlong.

In the Saratoga Special, Rhyme Schemes let two long shots in Market Street and Woodcourt go to the front. Rhyme Schemes sat in the outside stalking position in third about two lengths behind them, and Lasso took up the rail in fourth. Edified ran right behind them, and Haul initially took up the rear.

Market Street set early fractions of 22.18 and 45.71 seconds for the 6 1/2-furlong race. Without studying pace figures, the pace felt moderate.

On the turn, Rhyme Schemes overwhelmed Market Street and Woodcourt with his presence. Haul tried to make a wider move and follow Rhyme Schemes, but it became clear at the top of the stretch he could not keep up.

At this point, Rhyme Schemes steadily drew clear from his opponents. Ricardo Santana Jr. gave the colt a mild hand ride in the early part of the stretch while waving the crop instead of striking him. At a later point, Santana let Rhyme Schemes coast to the wire on his own.

From a visual standpoint, it looks like Rhyme Schemes has plenty more in the tank, especially when considering he will become stronger and faster for trainer Norm Casse as the Breeders’ Cup season keeps rolling. He did not need the lead to dominate, as he took advantage of stalking this time. It is a positive when a horse can learn and adapt.

Market Street ended up fighting Haul in the stretch for the runner-up position, and he outlasted Haul by 3/4 of a length. Between Haul and the even-running Lasso in fourth came another 2 1/4 lengths of separation. As for Woodcourt, he folded to last flashing early speed and lost to the winner by 29 1/2 lengths.

Rhyme Schemes completed the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.12, earning an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Can Rhyme Schemes route?

On the bottom side of his family, Rhyme Schemes’ third dam is the familiar Turbo Dream, who was the dam of the speedy Dream Rush, the winner of the Test Stakes (G1) on this track back in 2007 and plenty of other sprint stakes races. Dream Rush also produced mostly fast and precocious runners in her successful career as a broodmare, although the router Dreaming of Julia is one exception to that pattern.  

Dream Rush had Wild Rush as her sire, and Rhyme Schemes’ second dam Eileen’s Dream has a different sire in Bernardini, which adds stamina to Rhyme Schemes’ female line. On the top side, Ghostzapper also gives Rhyme Schemes hope that he can transfer his form to route races.

Rhyme Schemes still must prove himself running longer if he goes in that direction. At this point, Rhyme Schemes gives off a special feeling when watching him sprint, but not every fast-starting 2-year-old can match that form once the distances become longer later in the season.

Nevertheless, the sky is the limit for this exciting colt.