Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike in light training, being pointed to Travers
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Eric Reed said Rich Strike has “pretty much been taking it easy” since the 2022 Kentucky Derby winner returned to his Mercury training center in Lexington shortly after the June 11 Belmont Stakes.
“We’ve all been trying to relax, take everything in, look back on exactly what happened these last couple months,” Reed said Friday after watching some of his lesser-known runners breeze over the five-furlong oval at Mercury. “We never really had time to appreciate all this, if that makes any sense.”
The Aug. 27 Travers at Saratoga will be next for Rich Strike, said Reed, adding an interim prep following his sixth-place finish in the Belmont is very unlikely. Owned by the RED TR-Racing of Rick Dawson, the Keen Ice colt was no factor when finishing 13 lengths behind Mo Donegal in the June 11 Belmont as the 4-1 third choice in a field of eight.
“He’s back to galloping every day here,” said Reed. “We’re just trying to keep him happy and not kill himself, as sharp as he is. He’s finally let down a little bit, like he knows he doesn’t have to be in ‘go’ mode yet.
“I’m thinking about working him once here at Mercury toward the end of July, then probably bring him back to Churchill Downs for a work or two in company there before we head on up to Saratoga.”
Rich Strike won the May 7 Derby at 80-1, making him the second longest-priced winner in race history. The monumental nature of his upset has elicited serious offers from movie producers to tell his tale on the silver screen.
“I’ve had people out here all morning with me,” said Reed. “We haven’t signed anything yet, but I do have a good friend who’s been vetting everything for us. We’ve hired someone to handle it all, whatever it is that materializes.”