Rich Strike Will Bypass Preakness Stakes, Will Train Instead for Belmont

Kentucky Derby victor Rich Strike will non follow a Triple Crown. Owner Rick Dawson said in a statement published by the Maryland Jockey Club Thursday that his 3-year-old colt will go around the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on May 21.

Instead, the connections programme to educate for next month’s Belmont Stakes.

In the statement, Dawson said their design for the gymnastic horse was depending on(p) on getting inwards the Derby. The colt was an also-eligible and got into the rush last Friday simply moments before the deadline, as trainer D. John Wayne Lukas scratched his entry, Ethereal Road. Rich Strike and so entered the race and shocked the man as an 80-1 longshot. His win was simply the indorsement for a Equus caballus that stone-broke from the 20th gate, and produced the second-largest payout in the 148 runnings of the event.

After the monumental win, Dawson pointed to the role regime trainer Eric John Reed held inwards prepping Rich Strike for the Derby. That included a schedule where he did non run to a greater extent than quint weeks apart, which is the time betwixt the Bluegrass State Derby and Belmont.

Obviously, with our tremendous travail and win inwards the Derby it’s very, rattling tempting to castrate our course of study and running inwards the Preakness at Pimlico, which would live a great honor for all our group,” Dawson said. “However, after a great deal discussion & considerateness with my trainer, Eric Reed & a few others, we are going to continue with our be after of what’s best for Ritchie is what’s best for our group.”

Epicenter, the posttime Derby favorite Rich Strike chased pull down in the final strides, is expected to run for inwards the Preakness. So, too, is KY Oaks-winning filly Secret Oath, also trained past Lukas.

This story testament live updated.