Robert Cole Jr. was already plotting the next start for Rapid Redux even before his now famous gelding was to face four foes Nov. 21 in a bid to set the all-time modern North American record for consecutive victories.
Trainer David Wells said Nov. 21 at Mountaineer that Rapid Redux was pre-entered for the Dec. 3 Claiming Crown at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Nominations for the Claiming Crown closed earlier in the afternoon.
Rapid Redux will target the $50,000 Iron Horse for 3-year-olds and up that have started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less. The distance is 1 1/16 miles.
"We'll see what happens here tonight first," the trainer said.
The 5-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding arrived at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort at about 3 p.m. EST Nov. 21. The $14,900 starter allowance originally attracted a field of 11, including an also-eligible, but the field was reduced after three early scratches Nov. 19.
As of 6 p.m. Disco Indy, Lil Skeletol, and Copper Forest, second choice in the morning line at 8-1, had been withdrawn, leaving a field of five. Show wagering on the race was canceled.
Rapid Redux, to be ridden by leading Mountaineer jockey Deshawn Parker, is 1-9 in the morning line to pull off the feat. He has won 19 races in a row, 17 of them this year, to tie Zenyatta and Peppers Pride for the North American record.
The Mountaineer surface was rated muddy for first post time. Rapid Redux has six wins in 10 starts on “off” tracks.
“I’m not nervous—at least right now,” Cole told Mountaineer officials after Rapid Redux arrived on the grounds at the West Virginia track. “It will be a great night if we get this done.”
Post time for the starter allowance test, eighth race on a nine-race card, is 9:55 p.m. As of 5 p.m. track officials didn’t know whether HRTV or TVG, two racing networks that sporadically show Mountaineer races, would carry the race.
Click here to watch his race replay (VIDEO).