Following Rhythm Buzz’s powerful performance to achieve victory in the Mark My Word feature race on Saturday, June 15, 2024, trainer Vincent Atkinson is of the view that his four-year-old bay colt is proving his own mettle as a force to be reckoned with on the local racing scene.

Facing off against the previously unbeaten American-bred Funcaandun and last year’s Jamaica Derby winner Ability, Rhythm Buzz showed grit and determination when winning the three-year-old and upward Open Allowance contest going nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Rhythm Buzz won by a length and three-quarters ahead of Funcaandun and Ability in a time of 1:57.2 (25.2 x 49.3 x 1:14.0 x 1:41.3).

Atkinson praised the rider’s (Reyan Lewis) tactical decision to ride Rhythm Buzz out of his usual style.

“It was an outstanding performance by Rhythm Buzz to win here,” Atkinson told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“You know, the rider kind of rode him [Rhythm Buzz] out of his usual style of running but I am still grateful that he was able to get the job done. He is the one who is riding the horse, so he knows what he is doing and he is a top rider, last year’s champion jockey,” he added.

Breaking from the gate Rhythm Buzz, ridden by champion jockey Reyan Lewis, settled in third behind She’s My Friend (Matthew Bennett) and D Head Cornerstone (Ramon Nepare), biding his time as the field thundered around the clubhouse turn and on to the backstretch.

Then Ability (Omar Walker) surged to the front of the pack as Funcaandun (Josue Osorio) drew alongside Rhythm Buzz, all engaging in a fierce battle.

The top three runners turned for home in a battle of their own, Ability hugging the inside rails, Rhythm Buzz slotted between runners, and
Funcaandun out three wide, in a three-way battle to the line. But Rhythm Buzz was not to be denied as with Lewis urging him on, the colt dug deep, finding an extra gear in the final stretch to get home, registering his fourth-consecutive win.

Atkinson said that the plan going into the race was a simple one, to capitalise on Rhythm Buzz’s strength and endurance over the distance.

“He is the strongest of the three top horses in the race and he has been running over this distance more steadily than the other horses. I expected him to be the strongest in the final furlong, and he proved that he was,” Atkinson said.

Looking ahead, Atkinson said he will carefully select future races for
Rhythm Buzz, aiming to pick up another win.

“If they keep running long races, we’ll keep going long. If it’s a shorter race, like seven furlongs, it might be tougher, but we’ll see what happens then,” Atkinson said.