Rapid Redux wins 20th straight race

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CHESTER, W.Va., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Rapid Redux scored his 20th consecutive victory Monday night, moving him ahead of Zenyatta and Peppers Pride, who each won 19 in a row.

Rapid Redux, a 5-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding, was claimed for $6,250 last year by Robert Cole Jr. Since then, he has been unbeatable while running primarily in starter allowances in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. The string started Dec. 10, and Rapid Redux has earned more than $200,000 in his 18 wins this year.

The victory skein has spurred talk that Rapid Redux should be considered for Horse of the Year honors, since there is no clear-cut choice among upper-level horses.

While the 20-race winning streak is significant, other horses have run off far longer victory skeins under different circumstances. Camarero, who won 56 straight races in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, is credited with the longest streak.

Peppers Pride won her 19th straight racing exclusively in New Mexico, against other New Mexico-bred horses. Zenyatta, by contrast, won 19 without a loss against some of the top horses in the world, losing only in her final race, the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Rapid Redux faced only three rivals in Monday night's race. After some pressure into the top of the stretch, he took charge and won by 4 lengths under jockey Deshawn Parker. Final time for the 1 mile was a modest 1:40.04.

Cole and trainer David Wells said they are considering taking a shot at the $50,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse Dec. 3 at Fair Grounds, where Rapid Redux would face significantly stronger competition from around the country. No firm decision has been made, however.