Mott will be new trainer of Rich Strike
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Rich Strike, last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, will move to the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott when he resumes training this summer, owner Rick Dawson reported Thursday.
“Bill was my first choice,” Dawson wrote in a statement issued to the media and posted on his Facebook page. “Bill and I have had a number of conversations over the last couple weeks, and I feel very confident Richie will be in great care and oversight. I can't thank Bill enough for accepting the task of training Richie to his full potential.”
On May 11, Eric Reed, who had trained Rich Strike since Dawson claimed the colt in September 2021, resigned as trainer of the colt due to differences over a media deal to document their story.
The Omaha Productions of NFL great Peyton Manning has announced that it is producing a documentary on Reed and Rich Strike, as well as a companion scripted film. Dawson says that he has a trademark in place to protect use of Rich Strike’s name, image, and likeness.
A few days after Reed’s resignation, Dawson’s horses were moved from Reed’s Mercury Equine Center in Lexington, Ky., to Blackwood Stables in Versailles, on the other side of town. Before making future plans for the colt, Dawson had extensive diagnostics performed by Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine in Lexington.
In a May 20 Facebook post, the owner described the colt as having some minor physical issues that are often present in racehorses in training. Rich Strike is currently enjoying a period of turnout at Blackwood on the recommendation of Bramlage.
“Richie will have another checkup in a week or so and then again in another couple weeks,” Dawson wrote in Thursday’s statement. “Once his condition is as perfect as can be expected and ready for a training schedule, he will move to Bill's capable management at a location to be determined.”
Rich Strike, a 4-year-old son of Keen Ice, was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm. He was claimed by Reed, in the name of Dawson’s RED TR-Racing LLC, for $30,000 out of his second career start, a 17 1/4-length maiden-claiming victory in September 2021 at Churchill Downs. The following May, the colt rallied from 15th at the quarter pole to win the Kentucky Derby. He returned $163.60, the second-highest payout in Derby history.
Rich Strike is winless in six starts since the Derby, with his best finish a close runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes last October at Churchill. Dawson has protested and appealed that result via various channels, stating a belief that winner Hot Rod Charlie wore illegal shoes in the race, a claim that has been refuted by officials.
Rich Strike most recently raced on May 5, when he was fifth of six runners in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes in his season debut at Churchill Downs.
Overall, Rich Strike’s record stands at 14-2-1-3, with earnings of $2,526,809.
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