Rapid Redux extends win streak to 22

Thoroughbred Rapid Redux won again Wednesday at Maryland's Laurel Park to extend his record winning streak to 22. Before the race, it was announced that Rapid Redux will receiver a Special Eclipse Award at horse racing's annual awards ceremony on Jan. 16. In his previous victory three weeks ago, Rapid Redux tied the modern day record with 19 wins in a calendar year, equaling the marks of Roseben in 1905 and Triple Crown winner Citation in 1948. One race prior on Nov. 22, the 6-year-old gelding surpassed Zenyatta and Peppers Pride for most consecutive wins by a thoroughbred in modern North American racing history. On Wednesday, Rapid Redux once again raced in front throughout the one-mile contest under jockey J.D. Acosta. For the second straight race, Awesome Rhythm was second to Rapid Redux, closing the gap to about a length at the wire. Although Awesome Rhythm pushed Rapid Redux throughout the race, the streak never appeared in doubt during the race. The only question came before the gelding took the track. He suffered a cut front foot in training, and on Tuesday trainer David Wells was not sure whether he would run. The injury was not serious, however, and it healed well enough for Rapid Redux to run Wednesday. Three scratches reduced the field of eight to five starters, and Rapid Redux went off at 2-5 odds to return $2.80 for each $2 win bet. The final time was 1 minute, 38.24 seconds. Zenyatta, the champion mare, had a 19-race win streak at the highest level of racing, but Rapid Redux has specialized in starter allowances -- low-level races that typically restrict eligibility to horses that have raced for a designated claiming price. Wells has continually targeted such conditions and entered the remarkably consistent and durable Rapid Redux at seven different tracks during the streak. It is expected, however, that Rapid Redux will soon be ineligible for the low-level condition and will have to face stiffer competition. Wells told the Daily Racing Form earlier this week that he planned to race Rapid Redux "one or two more times" before retiring him. Owner Robert Cole Jr. claimed Rapid Redux for just $6,250 on Oct. 13, 2010 at Penn National. Rapid Redux has won more than $250,000 for Cole during the win streak, and has not lost since Nov. 2010.