Awesome Rhythm scores in Marine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Awesome Rhythm overcame a sleepy pace three weeks ago to take the Wando Stakes with an impressive wide rally. He had slightly faster fractions to run at on Saturday at Woodbine in the $150,400 Marine Stakes, and prevailed once again under Jim McAleney.

Bear's Prospector set splits of 25 and 48.93 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile, as Awesome Rhythm trailed the compact group of 3-year-olds heading into the far turn. Awesome Rhythm began to mount a five-wide rally at the quarter pole, and then overtook the leaders nearing the sixteenth pole en route to a 2 1/4-length score in a time of 1:45.25.

Colonel Rutledge came from fifth to beat His Greatness by a neck for second in the six-horse field.

"The first quarter was really slow, but then the pace picked up the second quarter," said McAleney. "The raced started to unfold, and fall into our hands."

Awesome Rhythm, who is trained by John Ross, returned $5.60 as the favorite. He earned $90,000 for owner Domenic Triumbari.