Rich Strike to skip Preakness and head straight to Belmont
Shock Kentucky Derby winner will not contest second leg of Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness and will instead straight to the Belmont Stakes, owner Rick Dawson has announced. The Eric Reed-trained colt produced a huge 80-1 upset win at Churchill Downs on Saturday, powering up the rail under an inspired Sonny Leon ride to beat race favourite Epicenter and the well-fancied Zandon. In a statement issued through the Maryland Jockey Club, Dawson said: “Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome and the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time and rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with five or six weeks rest between races. “Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby it’s very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honour for all our group. However, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what’s best for Ritchie (Rich Strike) is what’s best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks. “We thank the wonderful Preakness and Pimlico folks that have reached out to us and very much appreciate the invite. “We wish you all a great race!!!!”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Fallen Angel leads 1000 Guineas contenders
Trainer and jockey are both searching for a first British Classic.
-
Casa No Mento a famous Punchestown winner for Twiston-Davies
‘We have to come over a give it a go. Willie had five in, but you have to try to beat him’.
-
Teahupoo confirmed as king of the stayers with stylish success
Cheltenham winner adds Punchestown crown to his CV.
-
Il Etait Temps floors Gaelic Warrior for Grade One honours
Punchestown one-two for Willie Mullins, but not in order expected.
-
Singing Banjo hits the right notes at Punchestown
Evergreen 14-year-old lifts La Touche Cup for the second time.
-
State Man targets unblemished season with Boodles Champion Hurdle success
Seven-year-old has been almost perfect since falling on his debut for Willie Mullins two and a half years ago.
-
Ramatuelle seeks to capitalise on Parker’s winning touch in Guineas
Former NBA superstar will be at Newmarket on Sunday – and so will Thierry Henry.
-
Connections confident Naqeeb has progressed enough to ask Gold Cup question
‘He was always a horse that was physically going to improve as he got older’.
-
National hero Murphy relishing Rosallion’s bid for 2000 Guineas glory
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old will take on Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering City Of Troy.