Rhyme Schemes to miss time with ankle injury

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Rhyme Schemes, whose back-to-back 9 1/2-length victories put him among the leaders of the 2-year-old male division, will be sidelined the remainder of the year due to an ankle injury, trainer Norm Casse said Saturday morning.

“He has a minor right front ankle injury that’s going to force us to miss the rest of the year,” Casse said. “Obviously, we’re really disappointed, but excited to get him back and proud of what he’s accomplished so far.”

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Rhyme Schemes, a son of Ghostzapper owned by Pura Vida Investments headed by Deuce Greathouse, finished sixth in his debut at Churchill Downs on May 18. A month later, he won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race at Ellis Park, earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

Rhyme Schemes came back to win the Grade 2 Saratoga Special here on Aug. 12, earning an 84 Beyer. Rhyme Schemes was targeting the Grade 1 Hopeful to be run here on Sept. 4.

Casse said Rhyme Schemes has already been sent to a farm in Kentucky and “hopefully we’ll get him back in early December,” Casse said.

During the winter, Casse stables at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn. He said Rhyme Schemes will likely start his training at Fair Grounds.

Rhyme Schemes was a $210,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September yearling sales.

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