Hindered at the start and forced to the heavier inside going, RHYTHM BUZZ’s unlikely second-place finish behind sprinter YELLOWSTONE at five furlongs straight two weeks ago makes him the horse to beat in Sunday’s Bonnie Blue Flag at seven and a half furlongs.
Facing sprinters in the Security Department Trophy at five furlongs straight turned off bettors even more, soured by post-position three, resulting in the middle-distance runner going off at odds of 30-1.
However, RHYTHM BUZZ closed strongly for second inside the final furlong, outfinishing a wall of sprinters, including LABAN, DUKE, GOD OF LOVE and A GIFT FROM BEN, proving that his dull effort at nine furlongs and 25 yards on New Year’s Day is to be thrown out the window.
Should RHYTHM BUZZ reproduce his December 17 victory in the slop or his prior run against CAPTAIN CALICO, not to mention a strong second-place finish behind imported ATLANTIC CONVOY on November 4, Sunday’s Bonnie Blue Flag could be a mere formality.
Vastly improved as a middle-distance runner, RHYTHM BUZZ emerged from fourth-place finishes in the 2000 Guineas and St Leger, posting a string of creditable performances, including two victories, the last being a smart 1:37.4 at a mile on December 17.
Sent off at odds of 9-5 to follow up on New Year’s Day, RHYTHM BUZZ failed to deliver, finishing fifth behind NEO STAR, SENSATIONAL MOVE and D HEAD CORNERSTONE. It appears RHYTHM BUZZ might have returned to the races too soon, 15 days after dipping under 1:38.0 for a mile in sloppy conditions.
Before blowing away the opposition at a mile on December 17, RHYTHM BUZZ was a charging second behind CAPRAIN CALICO at seven furlongs on Mouttet Mile Day, second-best in a three-way photo involving third-place NORBLAR, who returned as a winner.
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