There might be no Triple Crown winner this yr after the proprietor of Kentucky Derby champ Rich Strike introduced Thursday that his colt would skip the Preakness and run as an alternative within the Belmont Stakes.
Rick Dawson stated Rich Strike got here out of the Derby in wonderful form however that he and coach Eric Reed had determined to not push the colt into the second leg of the Triple Crown after solely two weeks of relaxation, particularly after successful the Derby (and a legion of followers) as an 80-1 shot.
The colt didn't even draw into the Derby subject till the day earlier than the race when Ethereal Road scratched.
“Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the Kentucky Derby. Should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness,” Dawson stated in an announcement. “Should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome and the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time.”
Dawson stated the plan was maybe to run the horse within the Belmont Stakes on June 11, however in any occasion to provide him 5 to 6 weeks between races.
“Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby it’s very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group,” Dawson stated. “However, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed, and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what’s best for Ritchie is what’s best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks.”
It is uncommon for the Derby winner to skip the center leg of the sequence and forfeit a chance to seize the Triple Crown — the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.
