Record-Chasing Rapid Redux
A quote famously attributed to Richard Branson states that “Records are made to be broken. It is in man’s nature to continue to strive to do just that.” And judging by the performance of Rapid Redux at Mountaineer Park in Chester, West Virginia, horses can strive to break records too. In a race that left competitors in the dust, the gelding notched up his 20th consecutive win, breaking the 19-race records set by both the legendary Zenyatta and lower-grade mare from New Mexico, Peppers Pride.
Having won all of his 2011 starts, with 18 single season victories, Rapid Redux is just one victory behind US single-season record holder Citation. Owner Robert Cole, and trainer David Wells, have revealed that they would very much like Rapid Redux to break Citation’s record by winning 20 races in 2011. The gelding has been entered in the Claiming Crown event to take place at Fair Ground on 3 December, but Wells has expressed some concern regarding the length of the journey to get there, and the unfamiliar territory they would be faced with.
Spectators would not have known that Rapid Redux had resisted being led into his starting stall, and made his displeasure known by lashing out with his hind legs. While it took some effort to get him into the starting stall, when the race started he was focused on the track and completed the race in 1:40.04, shrugging off would-be contender Lady on Fire and crossing the finish line with no visible signs of exertion.
Rapid Redux has been the odd-on favorite for his last fourteen starts, facing an average of 4.5 competitors as he notched up victory after victory. The race at Mountaineer Park was meant to have eight competitors, but due to scratched entrants, Rapid Redux found himself with only three rivals to beat. But this did not diminish the value of his victory, nor his new record, and as he crossed the finish line, track caller Peter Barry was recorded as saying “With all due respect to Zenyatta and Peppers Pride, the record now belongs to him and him alone, Rapid Redux.”
