Rapid Reload tries turf again after Tapeta victory
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Rapid Reload will experiment on the turf off a hard-fought maiden victory on the Tapeta in Friday’s main event for nonwinners of two at five furlongs on the inner course. It combines Ontario-sired allowance types with $40,000 claimers and goes as the fifth of eight races on a card that begins at 1:10 p.m.
Rapid Reload debuted last September over the same course and distance as Friday’s headliner. After dueling up front, he weakened to third behind current rival Drop a Caribou.
Rapid Reload came from fourth to end up second in his only other 2-year-old start going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta in October. When returning from a seven-month absence on May 21, he battled three wide for the lead on the turn before digging in through the final furlong to prevail by a half-length with a 65 Beyer Speed Figure.
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Trainer Mike DePaulo pointed out that Rapid Reload is bred for the grass, although he said he wouldn’t mind seeing the race moved to the main track.
“He’s a half to Marten River, who handles the turf pretty good,” DePaulo said. “It wouldn’t bother me if it rains and it comes off.”
DePaulo was optimistic about Rapid Reload’s chances after the gelding worked a half-mile in a bullet 47.60 seconds over the training track last Friday.
“He’s a good little work horse,” DePaulo noted. “He should be live in there.”
Luis Contreras will ride Rapid Reload again for the partnership of Bear Stables and Mickey Demers.
Lion of the Sea is another son of Grade 3 turf stakes winner Reload, who has sired just 6 percent grass winners. The 4-year-old won his only start in a maiden-special dash on the Tapeta two years ago.
Reload also is the sire of front-runner Light the Lamp, who’s in solid Tapeta form. His dam was a stakes winner on turf in South Africa and has produced three grass winners.
The speedy Wood Be Wild will try to rebound off a dull performance in his first start at this level in this, his turf debut. He earned a big 83 Beyer Speed Figure beating maiden optional $40,000 claimers in his season debut.
Wood Be Wild is by the 10 percent grass sire Old Forester. His dam placed on turf, as did all three of his siblings who competed on it.
Drop a Caribou can mow down all the speed if he duplicates his only grass start on the inner course in September, when he parlayed a three-wide stalking trip into a decisive victory. He’s shedding blinkers for his first run of the year.
Mr Narcissistic is shortening up off a late-running third going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main turf in his second start off the shelf.
Big Executive is unraced since crushing maidens on the main course here in August 2020.