Rhyme Schemes brushes off trouble at gate, takes Saratoga Special

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rhyme Schemes proved he was more than a one-hit wonder, and did so with a flourish, by duplicating his one-sided and well-graded maiden victory with a similarly explosive 9 1/2-length triumph in Saturday’s $200,000 Saratoga Special.

Rhyme Schemes' margin of victory over runner-up Market Street in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special matched that of his maiden win, which came with the addition of blinkers eight weeks ago at Ellis Park. That performance earned him a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest for any 2-year-old to this point in 2023.

With regular rider Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard, Rhyme Schemes had to overcome trouble at the start of the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special when he was knocked around as a result of some crowding precipitated by Haul ducking out leaving the gate.

Rhyme Schemes quickly recovered to race in perfect stalking position just off the early pace set by Market Street and prompted by Woodcourt, advanced three wide to join the leaders approaching the quarter pole, readily assumed control upon settling into the stretch, quickly opened a commanding advantage and was being geared down at the end.

:: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.

Market Street set a lively pace, proved no match for the winner but dug in gamely to turn back Haul to remain second-best. Haul was followed in turn by Lasso, Edified and a tiring Woodcourt.

Rhyme Schemes, a son of Ghostzapper, is trained by Norm Casse for Pura Vida Investments LLC. He covered the distance in 1:17.12 seconds over a fast track and paid $4.10, getting an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I knew the horse was very talented from the outset, we could tell he had multiple gears underneath him, but his number was so big (in his maiden win) it was hard to believe it,” Casse said. “We needed some more affirmation, and we got it today.”

Casse said he believes the addition of blinkers in his new star’s second start was a game changer following his debut in which Rhyme Schemes was never a factor, finishing sixth in a five-furlong maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs on May 18.

“I think blinkers made a big difference,” Casse said. “If you go back and watch his first race, he ran so spotty you could tell he needed blinkers. It just keeps him a little focused. Ricardo just told me now he was still kind of looking around, so he’s only going to get better the more he runs, and moving forward I think he’s going to be a better two-turn horse.”

Casse said if all is well, the Grade 1 Hopeful here on September 4 will be next for Rhyme Schemes.

“Our plan was to run him here twice, to skip the Sanford, and run in this one today and the Hopeful, and if he’s good in the morning, that’s what we’re going to do.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.