Robert Cole Jr.’s Rapid Redux withstood challenges from two opponents through the first mile and then drew away to win his 18th race in a row Oct. 14 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Rapid Redux is now only one win away from tying Zenyatta and Peppers Pride for the modern-day North American record for consecutive victories.
Rapid Redux, trained by David Wells and ridden by J.D. Acosta, made it look easy despite some pace pressure. The 5-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding grabbed the early lead from the rail in the 1 1/18-mile starter allowance test but was immediately pushed by Working Man Blues, a Fort Erie shipper, to his outside.
Jockey Michael McMullen kept Working Man Blues just outside of front-running Rapid Redux through fractions of :24.33 for the opening quarter-mile, :48.81 for a half-mile, and 1:14.32 for six furlongs on a track rated good. When Working Man Blues backed away, Smiling Jordan made a strong move on the third and final turn to challenge the leader but eventually came under the whip by rider Xavier Perez.
Rapid Redux re-opened his lead after a mile in 1:38.64 and coasted home to win by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:51.94. Smiling Jordan again finished second to Rapid Redux, with Working Man Blues third.
Read More