Va-bred Rapid Rhythm takes Fair Grounds stake

Rapid Rhythm winning the Oakley Stakes at Laurel Park in September 2016. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.

From a Virginia Thoroughbred Association release

Rapid Rhythm closed out February in style — and gave Virginia’s breeding industry yet another stakes winner.

Rapid Rhythm celebrated Fat Tuesday,(February 28th) in grand fashion by winning the 5 1/2 furlong, $75,000 Mardi Gras Stakes over the grass at the Fair Grounds. She rallied from eighth and last in the field to prevail.

The 5-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal won by a neck over Wheatfield in the come-from-behind effort. Still sixth at the stretch call, she swung seven wide shortly after and rallied on the far outside. Simple Surprise was third.

Bettors made Rapid Rhythm the 1.30 post-time favorite. She paid $4.60 to win and topped a $40.80 exacta.

Out of the stakes-placed Quiet American mare Patriot Miss, Rapid Rhythm won $45,000 for the effort in her first start of 2017.  She has now won three straight and all have been stakes races. The first two came in the Oakley Stakes (Sept. 24) at Laurel Park and in the Battle of New Orleans at Fair Grounds (Dec. 3).

She is trained by Michael Stidham for Robert S. Evans. Rapid Rhythm now has eight wins from 19 career starts with total purse earnings of $245,903.