Sat | May 4, 2024

Rhythm Buzz ahead of Further and Beyond for Legal Light Trophy

Published:Thursday | April 25, 2024 | 12:11 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
RHYTHM BUZZ, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, wins the Henry W. Jahhai OD Memorial Trophy over six furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park on March 16.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
RHYTHM BUZZ, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, wins the Henry W. Jahhai OD Memorial Trophy over six furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park on March 16.

RHYTHM BUZZ, the best offspring of 2016 Gold Cup winner, in-utero Buzz Nightmare (Into Mischief-Queen of Battle), should confirm his form and versatility in Saturday’s Legal Light Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards after a cracking victory against WALL STREET TRADER at six furlongs on March 16.

RHYTHM BUZZ is on a hat-trick, outfinishing SONNY T AND CHIPPY at seven and a half furlongs in his previous race. WALL STREET TRADER and SONNY T AND CHIPPY won subsequently, franking RHYTHM BUZZ’s splendid form.

United States-bred five-year-old gelding WALL STREET TRADER made all at seven and a half furlongs last Saturday, winning third-time-out locally after being caught close home on her second outing by fellow American FUNCAANDUN, who is unbeaten in three starts.

A week earlier, SONNY T AND CHIPPY turned back SUNSET SILHOUTTE to land the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Bred to run, RHYTHM BUZZ’ dam, River Rhythm, is the daughter of War Chant, a son of Danzig, foaled by 1993 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, Hollywood Wildcat, a versatile filly in her time, who won at the top level on both dirt and turf.

RHYTHM BUZZ has certainly inherited his lineage’s versatility, sprinting and staying at will, having won from nine furlongs and 25 yards to his most recent six-furlong victory over WALL STREET TRADER, who showed in two subsequent runs that he is no pushover.

FURTHER AND BEYOND, 2021 Jamaica Cup and Ian Levy Cup winner, appears RHYTHM BUZZ’s sole threat in the five-horse field. Though he is nowhere close to his 2021 form, which crowned him Horse of the Year, FURTHER AND BEYOND still has some fire left in him at age six.

FURTHER AND BEYOND forced a terrific dead-heat with Canada-bred ATLANTIC CONVOY late February, finishing second to impressive American DESERT OF MALIBU in the Saint Cecelia at six and a half furlongs a month ago.

However, RHYTHM BUZZ, carrying 120lb in top shape, getting six pounds from FURTHER AND BEYOND, should do the trick with Reyan Lewis aboard, having clocked a decent 1:58.1 at the trip when beating STRIKE SMART last October.