The Courageous Red Series, named for one of the most popular pacers to compete in California over the last 30 years, will kick off Saturday, December 3 at Cal-Expo with a first leg. Trained by Roger Stein and driven by Rick Kuebler, Courageous Red was a model of consistency that amazed on a regular basis back in the Hollywood Park days.
Kuebler, who retired with 4,284 trips to the charmed enclosure and over $19 million in earnings, related that some of his best memories came when he was guiding Courageous Red for Stein and owner Adolph 'Otto' Scangarello.
“There was something to that name,” he explained. “Red was perhaps the most courageous horse I ever drove. He broke both knees as a two-year-old and his racing future was in doubt, but he came back the next year and won the $100,000 L.K. Shapiro.
“From that point on he dominated all comers and for five years he won 50 per cent of his races. He was simply the best horse in California and was King of the Cal-breds. He had brilliant step and was a dream to drive, giving me some of my greatest memories.”
Back at a time when a sub two-minute tour was known as a 'Magic Mile,' Courageous Red had 26 in one season, breaking the record of the mighty Niatross. It took the sensational Cam Fella to ultimately take that mark away from him.
The man behind Courageous Red was Roger Stein, and Kuebler has nothing but praise for the job he did with this pacer.
“Red had only won one race before Roger took him over in his three-year-old year,” Kuebler explained. “His first start for Roger was an omen of things to come, as he finished a fast-closing second in a Cal Sires Stake to Full Pocket, who was undefeated at the time.
“Otto wanted to sell him and I told Roger I'd buy half with him, but Roger told Otto he truly felt he would be making a big mistake in selling him to us. Otto took Roger at his word and the rest is history. I don't believe any trainer in the country could have handled, prepared and loved a horse any more than Roger did for Courageous Red.”
Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Thursday, December 2 and will continue through Saturday, December 4. First-race post time on Thursday is at 5:00 p.m. (PST). First-race post time on Friday, December 3 is at 5:45 p.m. First-race post time on Saturday is 5:35 p.m.
On Saturdays, Cal Expo offers a reduced 15 per cent takeout rate on both the Early and Late Pick-4 wagers, with both Pick-4s now having a $10,000 gross-guaranteed pool.
(Cal-Expo)