Rapid Test Chases Graded Score in Durham Cup

Rapid Test , fresh off an impressive allowance score at Woodbine, chases his first graded stakes success in the Sept. 28 CA$135,000 Durham Cup (G3), a 1 1/16-mile main track event for 3-year-olds and up.

Trained by Catherine Day Phillips, who co-owns (through her Kingfield Racing Stable) with Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds, the son of Souper Speedy   rallied stoutly to notch a head victory on the Toronto oval inner turf Aug. 23.

Ignored on the tote board at 58-1, Rapid Test, under Emma-Jayne Wilson, settled inside throughout the first turn, then switched out to stalk the lead foursome before a winning outside bid in upper stretch. The victory was the first for Rapid Test since his late-closing win in the 2023 Elgin Stakes over the main track.

"I was most impressed with Rapid Test's determination to win in his last race," said Day Phillips. "He has always trained like a good horse. Until his last race, he was having trouble putting it together in the afternoons this year.

"We're looking forward to a big effort from him this weekend in the Durham Cup."

The compact 5-horse field includes 1-5 morning line favorite Paramount Prince , honored as champion 3-year-old male in Canada last year after a King's Plate-winning season, multiple graded stakes-placed Stanley House , last out allowance winner Ron's Gizmo , and Toronto Cup third-place finisher Dresden Row .