RED TR-Racing’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winners Rich Strike arrived at Churchill Downs May 18 from his home base at Mercury Equine Center near Lexington to continue preparations for the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 11 at Belmont Park.
The Keen Ice The 3-year-old, who surprised 80-1 odds in the Derby, spent 10 days at the Mercury Equine Center before returning to Churchill. Rich Strike gallops at 5:45 a.m. ET May 19, will gallop again May 20, and is scheduled to gallop May 21 at 7:30 a.m.
“When he got out of the car, you could see his chest go up,” said coach Eric Reed. “He absolutely loves it here. I think he knows when he’s here he has work to do.”
Rich Strike is back! #Irritability #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/ZKlvmu5s3B
– Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 18, 2022
Rich Strike is 2 on 2 at Churchill, also winning the 17 1/4 first-time title race last September. The pony is 0 to 6 from Churchill, albeit with two stakes.
Belmont Stakes is the third jewel in the racing’s Triple Crown. Reed decided to skip the second gem, Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1).
“I just kept coming back to him not being mentally ready to run for another two weeks,” Reed said. “Our original plan if we didn’t get into Derby was to run in Belmont. So we’re sticking to that plan.”
