Rich Strike shocks in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) (Coady Media)
Baby Yoda to G1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
G2 Jim Dandy the Plan for Batten Down
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— RED TR-Racing’s 2022 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby-winner Rich Strike posted his second work back off an extended layoff Friday when breezing over Saratoga Race Course’s Oklahoma training track. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said he caught the 5-year-old son of Keen Ice – with Neil Poznansky in the irons – covering three furlongs solo in 38 seconds flat.
Rich Strike stepped onto the fast track from the first turn in the company of a pony immediately after the second renovation break and was brought up to the top of the stretch to stand watch for a short time before commencing his work. He kept to task to complete the exercise willingly and galloped out well through the first turn.
“He went good,” said Mott. “We’re just getting him started again and back to the work tab.”
Rich Strike has not raced since finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Alysheba last May at Churchill Downs when trained by Eric Reed. He was subsequently announced as retired late last year by owner Rick Dawson and was entered in the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale as a stallion prospect but was withdrawn and returned to training this year with Mott after receiving treatment for a suspensory ligament issue.
The chestnut horse is winless in six starts since his shocking 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby, but finished a hard-fought second to Hot Rod Charlie in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic in October 2022 at Churchill and was a game fourth in that year’s Grade 1 Travers won by Epicenter here.
Bred by Calumet Farm, Rich Strike owns a 14-2-1-3 record with $2,526,809 in earnings.
Mott also noted that last-out Grade 2 True North presented by F.W. Webb-winner Baby Yoda remains on track for a start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on July 27 here, while Grade 3 Ohio Derby-winner Batten Down is on schedule for the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun the same day.
