Bettors miss the boat on $51 Rhombus

Back on June 30, Rhombus broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs, going wire-to-wire at six furlongs and paying $17.80. The 4-year-old gelding by Treasure Beach then received a seven-week vacation courtesy of owner/trainer Patty Burns, making his return at Colonial Downs yesterday at 5 1/2 furlongs over the outer turf course.

With Leslie Mawing aboard, Rhombus made it two in a row with little support from the betting public. Sent off at 24-1, he battled head-and-head for the lead with quick fractions of :22.44, :45.52 and :57.51 before drawing off at the top of the stretch and going on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Clocked in the excellent time of 1:03.98, he paid $51 and rewarded his owner with a check for $18,000.