The winner of the Longshot Kentucky Derby Rich Strike will miss next week’s Preakness races, ending his chances of winning the Triple Crown, and preparing to compete again in the June Belmont Stakes instead.
Rick Dawson, owner of the incredible 80-1 horse that swept the field at Churchill Downs on Saturday, announced plans to beat Preakness in a statement released Thursday by the Maryland Jockey Club, which oversees the return leg in the US. May 21 in Baltimore.
“Obviously it was very, very tempting to change course with our great effort and success at Derby and join Pimlico Preakness, which will be a great honor for our entire group,” said Dawson.
“However, after much discussion and reflection with my coach Eric Reid and a few others, we will stick with our plan and continue to run Preakness, which is best for Richie (Rich Strike), the best for our group, and to Belmont in about five weeks. go.”
The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Triple Crown Series, which continues with Preakness and concludes on June 11 at the Belmont Stakes in suburban New York.
The last horse to win all three races was Justify in 2018.
Dawson, whose horse went into the field at the last minute when another horse itched, said his original plan for Rich Strike was to run to Belmont if he pitched in the Derby.
But an impressive victory in Louisville made Pimlico consider starting the 13/16 mile—the shortest race in a triple run—before taking the longest of three races at Belmont, 1 1/2 miles.
Source: Breitbart
