Rich Strike who drew at the end of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with the defection of The path of purity blow away past favorites Epicenter and Zandon with Sonny Leon in the saddle to win for first-time Derby owner Richard Dawson with RED TR-Racing and coach Eric Reed. The pony belongs to Keen Ice and bred by Calumet Farm.
Rich Strike is paid $163.60, $74.20, and $29.40.
The opening fractions increased rapidly at: 21.78, :45.36 and 1: 10.34. Rich Strike crossed the limit in the final time of 2:02.61
Reed said: “I fell off the oars when they hit the wires and almost lost consciousness. “I’m so happy. This is why people do this. We weren’t supposed to be here but I know the horse loves the track and he’s been training really well all year and (jockey) Sonny Leon) , they know who he is.” now… He gave him the most amazing ride I’ve ever seen,” said Reed.
Dawson said he learned that Rich Strike was running during the Kentucky Derby about 30 seconds before the game.
“Eric and I would never have put a horse in a race if we didn’t think we could win,” Dawson said. “We knew we had a shot because every time he went longer he got better. Today we went a mile and a half and he kept going. It was like winning the Super. Bowl and maybe even better. You only have one player here.”
When asked about the second stage of the Triple Crown, the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1), with a horse he claimed $30,000 when he was 2 years old, Reed said: “I think his chances are very good. . This horse is just getting better. He is getting better in every race. We have arranged his races properly.”
This story will be updated.
