Reigning champion Rapid Test seeks a successful title defense in Sunday’s $150,000 Overskate Stakes, a 7 ½-furlong inner turf feature for Ontario-sired three-year-olds and up, at Woodbine. A six-year-old son of Souper Speedy out of the Archarcharch mare Arch Tigress, Rapid Test made the most of an abbreviated 2025 campaign, following a runner-up season debut with a determined half-length triumph in last year’s Overskate at 8-1.
“He’s just an honest, hard-trying horse,” said trainer Catherine Day Phillips, who shares ownership of Rapid Test with Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds through Kingfield Racing Stable, which she owns and operates with her husband Todd Phillips.
“He was very lightly raced last year. He ran into some complications early in the season and had some time off, so he only made two starts. He was second in his first start going 7 1/2 [furlongs] on the inner turf. He handled the distance and the layoff well and was a good second.
“He was then able to come back and win the Overskate. He ran a great race – he seemed to bounce right off the turn and finish well.”
Rapid Test has routinely been in the mix for his connections in 2026, producing a pair of seconds and trio of thirds from six starts, all at Woodbine. “He’s just a kind, nice horse to be around, and I think that’s probably his best attribute, but when it comes to racing, he’s all business,” said Day Phillips. “He’s very competitive and very focused. I think he saves his energy for his races, and he’s a pleasure to have in the barn.”
In his most recent appearance, the bay gelding ran third in the Grand Valley, a 1 1/8-mile turf test, on Sept. 27. Pleased with the true-to-character effort, Day Phillips is looking forward to Rapid Test’s return to 7 ½ furlongs on the inner turf in the Overskate.
“I was surprised that he went a mile and an eighth as well as he did,” said the multiple graded-stakes-winning conditioner. “He was reunited with (jockey) Austin Adams, and I thought he ran a great race. He tried hard, ran well right to the wire and was beaten by Paramount Prince, our friend and good old rival this season. If we meet Paramount Prince again on Sunday, I hope that we will be able to turn the tables going 7 1/2 furlongs.”
Adams has piloted Rapid Test four times this season, delivering two seconds and two thirds. The rider, who enjoyed a career year across the board in 2025, gets the call for the Overskate.
Day Phillips is banking on that familiarity, and a “nice clean trip,” to make for a winning formula on Sunday.
“Austin knows him well, and he [Rapid Test] certainly loves the inner turf. He’s just happy to run and he’s so versatile. But overall, just a good stalking position and a clean run to the wire.”
Bred in Ontario by Italia Thoroughbreds, Rapid Test was a $22,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2021 CTHS Canadian-bred Yearling Sale. Kevin Salgado is the groom.
Recent works: Rapid Test posted a pair of four-furlong breezes in preparation for the Overskate. His most recent work, a :48.00 move on the dirt, came on Oct. 17. Exactly one week earlier, Rapid Test breezed :48.40 over the main track.
“He’s a very fast horse in the mornings, if he’s allowed to be,” said Day Phillips. “We do tend not to push him. He usually breezes by himself to keep him fit and happy and get a little wind in his lungs.
“He handled the dirt very well and was moving well. Had a big gallop out, and it seems like he’s happy and in good order. Rapid Test is enjoying the cooler weather, he is in good order, and I am looking forward to him running Sunday.”
Fast facts: The race is named after the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame son of Nodouble, who raced a total of 42 times and won on 24 occasions, 18 of those victories coming in stakes races. Trained by Gil Rowntree for Jack Stafford, Overskate was voted champion 2-year-old in Canada in 1977. Then, in 1978, he was named champion 3-year-old colt and Horse of the Year. He repeated his Horse of the Year title in 1979. In addition to those Sovereign Awards, Overskate was named Champion Grass Horse in Canada in 1978, ‘79 and ‘80.
Wagering menu for the Overskate: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / $1 Swinger.
Field for the Overskate Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Souped Up – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ron Sadler
2 – Ciunas (S) – Pietro Moran – Miguel Clement
3 – Paramount Prince (S) – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse
4 – Dark Screen – Juan Crawford – Beverley Chubb
5 – Rapid Test – Austin Adams – Catherine Day Phillips
6 – Hunt Master – Eswan Flores – Steve Bryant
7 – Next Pitch – Ryan Munger – John LeBlanc, Jr.
8 – Ready to Collect (S) – Keveh Nicholls – Roger Broomes
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