TORONTO, October 26, 2025 – Rapid Test, under Austin Adams, wore down a game rival and fended off the challenge of another foe to win the $100,000 Overskate Stakes, for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up, Sunday at Woodbine. Hunt Master, who won last year’s Overskate, broke alertly and glided to the lead in the 7 ½-furlong inner turf event, followed by No More Options, 2-5 choice Awesome Bourbon and Rapid Test, heading into the first turn. Ahead by two lengths through an opening quarter in :24.19, Hunt Master continued to lead the way and held a 1 ½-length advantage over Awesome Bourbon when reaching the half in :47.76. Hunt Master, still in control, was engaged by Rapid Test, who had been running mid-pack, into the turn for home, while Society’s Thunder soon joined the fray, looking to reel in the lead pair. It set the stage for a long stretch battle, with Rapid Test eventually gaining the upper hand in the last 40 yards to record a hard-earned half-length win. Hunt Master finished a neck ahead of Society’s Thunder for second. Cruden Bay was fourth. The final time over good ground was 1:30.18. Rapid Test and jockey Austin Adams winning the Overskate Stakes on October 26, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “I knew there was going to be speed in the race and my plan was to break good, not to be too far back and save as much ground as I could,” said Adams, who teamed with Little Teddy to take Saturday’s Eternal Search Stakes, also at 7 ½ panels on the inner turf. “I wanted to get the jump on Awesome Bourbon – that was kind of the plan – and it worked out perfectly.” On the shelf since a fifth in the Steady Growth Stakes last September, Rapid Test finished second in his return, a 7 ½-furlong inner turf race won by Awesome Bourbon, on September 28. “He had a few setbacks early in the season and we actually sent him to the farm,” said trainer Catherine Day Phillips. “He hung out with Todd, my husband, for a month, and they brought him back very carefully and he hasn’t put a foot wrong since. He was also turned out with (retired multiple graded stakes winner and Day Phillips trainee) Mr Havercamp, so I think he was a good influence as well.” Rapid Test won the first stakes race he contested, the Elgin, on August 27, 2023, and was second in the Lake Ontario in November of that year. Last August, Rapid Test rallied for a 58-1 upset over 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The final time over firm going was 1:41.26 and yielded a $118.80 win payout. The 5-year-old son of Souper Speedy out of the Archarcharch mare Arch Tigress, a debut winner on May 13, 2023, is now 5-3-0 from 17 starts. Bred by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, the bay gelding, a $22,000 (CDN) at the 2021 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, is owned by Kingfield Racing Stable, Ltd. and Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds. Rapid Test paid $19.40 for today’s win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
