Robert Cole Jr.’s Rapid Redux popped the gate and never looked back en route to his 17th consecutive victory Sept. 16 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races (VIDEO).
The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Pleasantly Perfect is now two victories shy of tying the record of 19 consecutive wins held by Peppers Pride and Zenyatta. He had been tied at 16 with Citation, Mister Frisky, and Cigar in the North American standings.
With J.D. Acosta riding, Rapid Redux won the 1 1/16-mile starter allowance event with a $20,000 purse by 2 3/4 lengths as the heavy favorite. Smiling Jordan, who had won his Charles Town debut by 16 lengths in late August, loomed a serious threat on the third of three turns but couldn’t get by the leader.
Rapid Redux set a good pace—at times under pressure—of :24.25 for the first quarter-mile and :48.10 for the first half-mile on a fast track. The six-furlong time was 1:12.75 and the final time 1:45.30. Rapid Redux is now three-for-three at Charles Town.
“The race played out like we thought it would,” trainer David Wells said after the race. “He was getting a little tired at the end. J.D. (Acosta) did a great job.
“He had the lead but could feel (Smiling Jordan) coming behind him, and he kept going.”
Rapid Redux has won most of his 17 consecutive races in starter allowance events for horses that have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less within a certain period. His eligibility for those races expires at the end of this year.
Wells, based at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, should have his pick of starter allowance races at Mid-Atlantic tracks in the next few months given growing interest in the gelding's streak. Charles Town has scheduled a $25,000 starter allowance race ($5,000 eligibility) at 1 1/8 miles for Oct. 14, eve of the West Virginia Breeders Classics.
Rapid Redux, now 23-for-37 lifetime, won an optional claiming test at 1 1/8 miles at Charles Town in April.
