Machado, Foster claim riding, training titles at Turfway

Jockey Luan Machado and trainer Eric Foster secured their respective titles during the Turfway Park winter-spring meeting that concluded March 30.

From January through March, Machado, who is represented by agent Cory Prewitt, won 62 races, easily outdistancing Gerardo Corrales with 37 wins. Machado swept the leading rider titles this season at Turfway, as he also secured the holiday meet title in November-December. This was his fourth leading rider title at Turfway, where the native of Brazil began riding in 2018.

“I was never a leading rider in Brazil but I always knew I could do better. That’s why I left Brazil,” Machado said. “When I came to Turfway I was very excited to ride in Kentucky. The Kentucky circuit is tough but I’ve proven I’ve been able to compete with the talented riders here. I’m very thankful for everyone that’s helped me get to this point. I am going to keep working as hard as I can to be successful.”

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Machado next rides at the Keeneland spring meet that opens April 5.

Foster secured his first Turfway training title, edging Brad Cox with 15 wins to 14.

Among Foster’s notable wins, his 3-year-old filly Maxisuperfly captured the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes in early March, while her stablemate Everland upset her in the Bourbonette Oaks three weeks later. Everland earned 50 points toward the Kentucky Oaks with that win – likely enough to take Foster to his first spring classic.

Rich Strike remains in very light exercise

Rich Strike, who has not won since his 2022 Kentucky Derby upset and has not started in nearly 11 months, continues to receive good veterinary updates while in very light exercise at Margaux Farm in Kentucky, owner Rick Dawson reports.

Rich Strike’s retirement was announced in November before Dawson had a change of heart owing to a lack of interest in the stallion prospect from major operations. Dawson turned to stem cell treatments, under the guidance of esteemed veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage, to address nagging suspensory issues that have kept the now 5-year-old away from the track.

Last Friday, Dawson shared videos of the horse at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for a scheduled stem cell treatment in the series, as well as an ultrasound to check on his progress.

“Test results were good and he's healing well,” Dawson wrote on Facebook.

Dawson’s long-stated plan has been for Rich Strike to continue his career with trainer Bill Mott. Dawson and Eric Reed, who trained Rich Strike to win the Kentucky Derby, split shortly after the horse’s most recent start, in May 2023, due to a disagreement over image rights and media rights to their story.

Dawson’s RED-TR Racing won three races from 10 starts at the recently-concluded Turfway meet, all with trainer Karyn Wittek.

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