Rich Strike works at Churchill in preparation for Travers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rich Strike was back on the scene of his epic Kentucky Derby victory, breezing five furlongs in 1:01 early Monday over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs as the colt continues preparations for his next start, in the Aug. 27 Travers at Saratoga.

Regular exercise rider Gabriel Retana was aboard Rich Strike in the solo work. The Keen Ice colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.

“Oh man, he went great,” trainer Eric Reed said shortly afterward. “Gabe said he was as good as ever and wanted more. Terrific work.”

It was the fourth work for Rich Strike since he finished sixth in the June 11 Belmont Stakes, following three at his home base, Reed’s Mercury training center on the outskirts of Lexington, on July 9, 16, and 26.

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“He was very relaxed afterward,” said Reed. “Didn’t take a deep breath, hardly drank any water. He was like, ‘Yeah, no big deal.’ I’m really pumped. I’m feeling a lot better about the work afterward than I was before.”

Rich Strike, owned by the RED-TR Racing of Rick Dawson, arrived well before dawn Monday at Churchill after leaving Mercury before 3:30 a.m. Eastern. After cooling out, the colt was vanned back to Mercury, where he’ll spend the next week or so.

“I’ll probably bring him back and maybe stay a couple days at Churchill before his next work,” said Reed, “We’ll space these two Churchill works eight to 10 days apart. I’ll probably bring another horse up with him next week to let him have some company. He could’ve done so much more today, but I don’t want to wind him up too quick. He’s really good right now.”

After his next work, Rich Strike will be sent to Saratoga in time to have a final pre-race work there. “It’ll be an easy half-mile up there,” said Reed.

Rich Strike, claimed by Dawson for $30,000 at Churchill last September, has won twice in nine starts, with his stunning win over Epicenter and Zandon in the May 7 Derby being the obvious highlight. Sonny Leon, who rode the colt in his last six races, has the Travers mount.

Rich Strike won’t be 80-1 in the Travers, as he was in his Derby upset, but he will be an outsider in the 1 1/4-mile Midsummer Derby. Epicenter looms a solid favorite off his authoritative triumph Saturday in the Jim Dandy, with at least Cyberknife, Charge It, Zandon, and Artorius among those sure to be lower odds than Rich Strike, assuming they run.

“Epicenter continues to be the best 3-year-old in the country,” opined Reed. “He’ll definitely be the horse to beat, just like he always has been.”