A Rapid Redux Redux

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:09:37 GMT

Now the 'news' folks are saying that 19 wins in a year (Citation) is some sort of record North American record and Rapid Redux is going to try to tie it. NOT. Donald Macdonald won 22 races in 1913, and as far as I can tell, Palmetto, Charleston, Belmont, Pimlico, Havre De Grace, and Laurel were/are all tracks in the continental United Stakes. And Donald Macdonald was a stakes horse - 3rd in the Belmont at 3, winner of two stakes races during his 22-in-a-year run of wins.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Arts and Letters — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:17:46 GMT

I think any HOTY votes for Rapid Redux aren't so much a vote for him (wonderful though he is) as a vote against all the "top-class" horses this year who couldn't put together more than a couple of wins each. I think durability is worth at least a vote or two.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

deb — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:47:04 GMT

I would pay the same amount to see Rapid Redux run as I would Pepper or Z. He is a champion and has earned the title. Kudos to this wonderful gelding!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

smarie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:06:18 GMT

Wonderful article. Some of the most elitest people in sports are horse racing people. I believe Rapid Redux would make a very deserving Horse of the Year. He doesn't know he wasn't running in "top company." He just goes out and wins, every time. Not many "top company" horses have done that with the exception of Zenyatta. Snobbery again. It always amazes me when people will dismiss a horse's accomplishments because of disdain for where they race, their connections, or the animal's breeding. If you enjoy horse racing, you should be enjoying Rapid Redux's accomplishments. If you can't appreciate this wonderful animal, then your sour attitude is part of the problem racing is facing these days. I congratulate this wonderful horse's connections. I hope he stays sound and healthy. I would love to see someone televise his next start. This year's star is Rapid Redux. He IS the top company.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Old Timer — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:06:10 GMT

Tom, well said that this is a case of apples and oranges. Many get all worked up that some people seem to be "comparing" RR and Cigar or Zenyatta or Citation. However for any horse to just stay healthy for that many races is a major accomplishment. As many have pointed out, these claiming "working-class heroes" are the horses who entertain us year in and year out at tracks all across the country. He may not deserve a conventional Eclipse but should be recognized in some way.

By the way, the reason that the horse hasn't been claimed is that he now runs strictly in starter allowances. Thus he has been able to race at the same level all through the streak.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

El Kabong — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:33:03 GMT

As someone who hails from a track at this level of racing, it is nice to see R & R getting some due attention. This horse reminds me of Russell Baze and if I'm not mistaken, he received a Special Eclipse Award for his relentless pursuit of the winner's circle, albeit at a lower level. There is a precedent for this situation, I just hope there is justice!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

robinm — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:15:54 GMT

Great article and well-deserved recognition for a horse who does what he does very well, with a lot of help from his human team that know exactly where to place him. But to say he deserves HOY? No way. A horse needs to run in top company to be considered for that award. How many times have I heard that Zenyatta should have been HOY in 2009 because she could have beaten Rachel easily? How many of this year's contenders could Rapid Redux beat, hmmmm? A streak in and of itself does not, or should not determine HOY. And I don't say this to take anything away from RR's accomplishments.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

meme — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:02:53 GMT

No one and nothing was keeping me from being at Mountaineer to witness this wonderful horse win his way into the history books. (Bought a $2 win ticket to keep as a memento!)

I couldn't have been more disappointed at the tiny crowd present to cheer him on.

The track did nothing to promote the event...next to last race on the card which went off 10-15 minutes late - This was a golden opportunity for free advertising to attract horse betters and slot players alike, but nothing! MTR could of at least moved the race from the 8th to the 2nd or 4rd since it was a work night for most...Only thing I saw was a 2 paragraph "mention" next to last page in the Pittsburgh Trib sports section: This should have been front page of the sports section!

Sadder was the track's horse community's NO SHOWs; between the trainers/owners/grooms it should have been standing room only.

But ahhhh, what a horse!!!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Longshot — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:10:59 GMT

Anything that puts a positive spin on horse racing is a good thing. I don't care if he's a grade one winner or not, he's good for racing. Kudos to his connections for keeping him healthy and happy during this amazing win streak!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

slobah — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:23:36 GMT

Rapid Redux is the Cal Ripken of racing.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

bossypants — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:41:13 GMT

Mr. Cole re-claimed Rapid Redux I believe in October 2010; the article stated he realized he didn't want that lovely horse to get away from him. I do believe he said, "I love that horse." RR deserves so much better. I'd love to see him run against just one of the titans. He reminds me of Seabiscuit.

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Bellwether — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:13:05 GMT

NOCK NOCK...HOOS THERE???...A BUNCH OF DUMB A$$E$...ty...

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Paula Higgins — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:36:27 GMT

Agreed Rachel O and Mike Relva! I think we all agree they need to acknowledge Rapid Redux with some award. C'mon Eclipse members, lets get this rolling!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

breeze10 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:25:59 GMT

SLEW: You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Very well said!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

breeze10 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:05:17 GMT

Tom: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! "ALL"..well said..and CANDIDLY! It is so refreshing to read an article that gives a horse and his connections the credit which they deserve. (Sadly, it seems, all to often, articles are written giving credit to those who are not TRUE accomplishers, but, those who are "stabbing around" trying to accomplish or those who are past accomplishers who for whatever reason seem to be failing at consistent accomplishment). It seems too often that those involved in racing or the racing media are focusing on those with "the money" who can easily afford to enter their horses in the graded stakes. Has it occurred to anyone that maybe RR's connections may not have those kind of BIG dollars?!! Such should not reduce the glory due to Rapid Redux, just as the comparisons should not reduce his accomplishments.

True, it was/is baffling that TVG and HRTV did not find the race to be important enough to broadcast. I was thankful that DRF videoed the race live.

No matter how one looks at it...Rapid Redux deserves credit for his racing accomplishments (and I hope he has more). He has done quite a bit to restore "the little peoples'" faith and interest in racing. Perhaps the racing industry and those voting for HOY should consider THAT accomplishment, as well.

Best of luck to Rapid Redux and to his connections regardless of how the voting goes. YOU ARE HOY in my book for so very MANY REASONS!

Also...how sad (even pathetic) that Mr. Baird was never given the credit that he so truly earned. (Again, it's all about money). Those involved in the racing industry need to wake up and smell the "REAL" roses! In my opinion there is NO reason Mr. Baird should not have been or should not be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He clearly earned it!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Bellwether — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:39:45 GMT

"THE GAME" HAS ITS TONY STEWART...IT JUST DON'T NOE IT YET!!!...ty...

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Bellwether — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:28:44 GMT

N ITS PRESENT STATE "THE GAME" COULD NOT PROMOTE SEX N A PRISON!!!...THA'TS ABOUT TO CHANGE..."THE MEDIA" CAN BEE SO GOOFEE!!!...STAY TUNED BABY!!!...ty...

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

pepper — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:16:26 GMT

Thank-you RR, you have the heart of a champion in my book. He might have been a claimer but he is pretty well bred and if you look at the sires of the horses in his last race they are familar names, too. I will be cheering him on in his next race on 12/3.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

marirose smith — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:29:19 GMT

Thank you for the wonderful comments and support for Rapid. He is an incredible horse and deserves the credit; he has won 20 in a row and he beat the record, and as the announcer said at Mountainer no, disrespect to Zenyatta or Peppers Pride but he alone holds the record. As for the industry it missed the boat. Here is a horse that promotes racing in the most positive way and no coverage was done. This business needs more owners and here is a horse that says anyone can get in and be successful. Nothing has been done to capitalize on his streak and record.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Slew — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:31:13 GMT

Nicely said Needler.

I've heard all the knocks against the level at which RR runs. It's simply unacceptable to knock a horse who has done so well.

In a year with absolutely no standout stars, we DO have ONE. His name is Rapid Redux. It seems to me the only requirement for HOY is that a horse runs once in the U.S. There is no qualification that states it must be a G1 horse. Here, we have a little gelding with 20 staight wins within one year's time.

What a PR heaven it would be for smaller operations to find themselves in the limelight! What better PR for horse racing in general? As far as I am concerned, Rapid Redux is THE star of 2011, and deserves to be recognized as such. I don't think Horse of the Year is that incredible. RR is the only horse who earned it this year.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Mike Relva — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:09:55 GMT

PAULA HIGGINS:

That's exactly correct! He should be thanking Zenyatta and connections for the large number of hits his blogs enjoyed while she ran.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

A Horsey Canuck — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:35:28 GMT

Fabulous article, Tom and such great comments from everyone. IMHO, Rapid Redux is the "working man" of the racing world. If you're talking bloodlines, we're talking Storm Cat, which means we're talking Terlingua, which means we're talking about. ... oh, that would be Secretariat! Another big red horse has just given us some great thrills. I feel fortunate to have witnessed the accomplishments of them both. I hope RR takes the Claiming Crown and then gets a bit of a rest. Give credit where credit is due! I'm a diehard Zenyatta fan, and nothing can take from her what she accomplished. If she could speak (and she does through Dottie), Z would be the first to say "Well done, RR!". My 2 Canadian cents!

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

JorgeG — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:19:15 GMT

Thoroughbred Times had it live. Agree with Jason in this one. I vote for Rapid Redux getting the "Secretariat" award, the one Zenyatta won last year.

re: A Rapid Redux Redux

Rachel O — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:09:56 GMT

Paula,

I agree with what you say about the sour Jason and his continual jabs at Zenyatta. (He is suffering from acid reflux!) Whatever point he was trying to make about her has long since faded away. No one is interested in hearing from him on that subject and it is a waste of space in a column about Rapid Redux, a true hero on the racetrack.

I also agree that Rapid Redux should be HOTY. He has brought more excitement to racing than any of the other horses under consideration. His is a name we will remember. Not so the others under consideration.

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fanofallthree — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:17:30 GMT

Rapid Redux for the Vox Populi award instituted by Penny Chenery.

He's the Rocky Balboa of TB racing.