Rapid Redux will seek record 19th in row at Laurel on Thursday

Rapid Redux will try to stretch his winning streak to a North American record-tying 19 races when he takes on six others in a $7,500 starter allowance at seven furlongs Thursday at Laurel Park.

Claimed for $6,250 last fall by trainer David Wells and owner Robert Cole, the 5-year-old gelding has won 18 straight in the starter allowance ranks at seven tracks across the Mid-Atlantic. A victory Thursday would match the record streaks of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta and the New Mexico-bred mare Peppers Pride.

Rapid Redux will come into the race off a 4 3/4-length victory in a $5,000 starter allowance over 1 1/8 miles at Charles Town on Oct. 14. In Thursday’s race, Rapid Redux will be cutting back to one turn for the first time since a 1 1/2-length win at seven furlongs on March 3 at Laurel.

Rapid Redux has won at seven different distances from five furlongs to 1 1/8 miles during his streak, which started on Dec. 2.

“It looks good,” Cole said. “It is a competitive race. They don’t run them on paper but I think we are a little better than everybody else.”

Among those looking to end Rapid Redux’s streak will be Shordawatyadrink, winner of the Maryland Million Starter Handicap in his last start on Oct. 1.