Rapid Redux matches Zenyatta

A SLICE of American racing history was made - or at least equalled - when the five-year-old gelding Rapid Redux (David Wells/JD Acosta) extended his winning streak to 19 races to match Zenyatta's mark.

Sent off 1-5 to defeat four rivals in a minor 7f event at Laurel in Maryland, Rapid Redux scored by two and three-quarter lengths to equal the post-1900 record of 19 successive victories achieved by both Zenyatta and lowly New Mexico mare Peppers Pride.

The all-time US record for the most wins in succession is 23 by Leviathan between 1797 and 1801. Puerto Rico-based Camarero holds the world record after registering his 56th straight win in 1951.

Latest win sends Rapid Redux into history books
 
BY NICHOLAS GODFREY 12:34PM 22 NOV 2011
 
Report: USA, Monday

Mountaineer

A NEW mark for consecutive US victories since 1900 was set on Monday night when Rapid Redux (David Wells/DeShawn Parker) landed his 20th straight success at Mountaineer Park in West

"With all due respect to Zenyatta and Peppers Pride, the record now belongs to him and him alone, Rapid Redux," track caller Peter Berry said at the finish.

The all-time US record for the most wins in succession is 23 by Leviathan between 1797 and 1801.

Puerto Rico-based Camarero holds the world record after registering his 56th straight win in 1951, which means that, contrary to several US reports, Rapid Redux's mark is not a North American record for the post-1900 period.

Rapid Redux has won all 18 of his starts in 2011, just one fewer than the all-time single-season record in the US held by the great Citation.

"This has been a lot of fun," said Maryland-based owner Cole, speaking to the Blood-Horse. "This horse is something else."

Claimed by Cole for just $6,250 at Penn National in October 2010, the son of Pleasantly Perfect, started his impressive sequence at the same track in December last year, since when he has raced at seven different tracks at distances from 5f to 1m1f. Only two horses have got within a length of a horse whose career record now stands at 26 victories from 39 races.

In Monday's race, he was always at the front before pulling clear in the stretch for an easy victory in a time of 1m40.04s.

The race was made much easier when four horses, including the biggest threats, were scratched to leave a small field but there were anxious moments before the race as Rapid Redux played up and delayed the start by more than a minute, only consenting to enter the starting gates after the front of his stall was opened while he was loaded.

Trainer David Wells is now eyeing Rapid Redux's next target - with a "50/50" chance of a trip to New Orleans for the $50,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse at Fair Grounds on December 3, when the gelding's mettle might be properly tested.

"I don't think this race took much out of him and if it was at Laurel Park we'd do it," Wells said. "I hate to say that, but I'm worried about the ship (to Louisiana)."

One crucial point is that Rapid Redux's eligibility for the sort of starter-allowance contests he has been farming this year runs out at the end of 2011, when he will be forced up in grade.

Rapid Redux replay

Nevermind Zenyatta, he's now matched Citation!

www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles...ngle-season-win-mark

Latest Replay

Cheers

this is a great instance of what, im(not so)ho, is the American obsession with Mostest, Biggest, Smallest, Highest, Winningest, yada yada. No way does this horse equal Zenyatta in quality but it gets ahead of her in the Guiness BoR, and everyone is popping the champagne corks.

Dunno whether to laugh out loud or sigh very deeply.

If it's facing a jump in class next year then they should export it ... to Ngong. Then it can equal any number of records it fancies, including the World Record (note the caps ... a sign of respect ... not).

Is 6/10 to make it 22

I've read it's hanging in the balance ?

www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/story/201...pid-redux/52365672/1


He has not lost since Nov. 18, 2010, a span of nearly 14 months and 21 races.

Rapid Redux, the six-year-old star gelding, will be the 3-5 morning line favorite when he goes for No. 22 in a row on Wednesday — opening day — in a $17,000 starter allowance at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md.

However, it's possible the horse will not even run. His trainer, David Wells, revealed Tuesday that his star developed a small cut 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 broke the record last November at Mountaineer Park with his 20th consecutive win, and was 19-for-19 in 2011.

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

Rapid Redux's owner, Robert Cole, claimed the son of Pleasantly Perfect at Penn National for $6,250 on October 13, 2010. Since then, he has won 22 of 23 races with earnings of $256,384. The win-streak began December 2, 2010 at Penn National.

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.

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

I so hope he can do it - this horse is just amazing !

Win 22 replay

Cheers Bob