Trainer David Wells concerned about a “little cut” on right front foot

LAUREL, MD. 01-03-12---Rapid Redux, who has not lost a race since November 18, 2010, has been established as the 3-5 morning line favorite by Maryland Jockey Club handicapper Frank Carulli in Wednesday’s 6^th race, a $17,000 starter allowance. However, trainer David Wells revealed Tuesday afternoon that his star “grabbed a quarter” in his right front foot a few days ago.

“There is a little cut on his right front foot,” Wells said. “We are a little bit concerned about tomorrow. It is kind of up in the air.  We are working as hard as we can to get it healed up for where it isn’t tender. It does bother him to push on it. It is a little spot, the size of a thumbnail. I had the blacksmith take off his glue-on shoes because we thought that was aggravating but it is all coming from where he grabbed himself.”

Rapid Redux, who broke the record for consecutive wins last November at Mountaineer Park with his 20^th straight score, looks to extend his winning streak to 22 on opening day of the Maryland racing season at Laurel Park. The now 6-year-old was a perfect 19-of-19 in 2011.

“Laurel is a really good surface and hopefully we can try to extend our streak tomorrow afternoon,” added Wells.  “We will be on the road by 9 a.m. if everything is good to go.”

Owner Robert Cole, a Baltimore County native, claimed the son of Pleasantly Perfect at Penn National for $6,250 on October 13, 2010. Since then, the gelding has won 22 of 23 races with earnings of $256,384. The win-streak began December 2, 2010 at Penn National.

“Robert and I talked back and forth today,” Wells said. “Laurel lays out the red carpet every time and it is great to go there. I hope we can have this little cut to where it does not bother him. We surely don’t want to get beat and I want to do what is best by the horse.” 

Rapid Redux has won races at seven different tracks at distances from five-furlongs to 1-1/8 miles, using seven riders during the streak. J.D. Acosta, who has been aboard five of the last six races, has the mount.

Rapid Redux earned his 19^th straight victory at Laurel Park on October 27 to tie Zenyatta and Peppers Pride in the record book and has won four other races here in 2011 (January 12, February 16, March 3 and December 13).

Seven runners are set to face Rapid Redux in the one-mile test for horses who have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in 2010 or 2011. Awesome Rhythm (7-2) finished just a length behind Rapid Redux on December 13, while Gold Casing (6-1) is looking for his 12^th lifetime win at Laurel Park.

Wednesday, January 4           Race 6

Post time for Wednesday’s sixth race is 2:55 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast live on HRTV and streamed live on www.drf.com.