USA: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico on Saturday week [May 21].
The news robs the race of a hugely anticipated rematch with Derby runner-up Epicenter, who is confirmed for the Preakness, where Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath is also an intended runner.
Although Rich Strike's connections had previously indicated that the shock 80-1 Derby winner was likely to show up in Baltimore, owner Rick Dawson said on Thursday that the Eric Reed-trained colt would bypass the Pimlico Classic. Dawson instead nominated the Belmont Stakes on June 11 as Rich Strike's next target.
Dawson broke the news in a statement posted on the Pimlico website. He said: “Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome & the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time & rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with 5 or 6 weeks rest between races.
“Obviously, with our tremendous effort & win in the Derby it's very, very tempting to alter our course & run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group, however, after much discussion & consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed & 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 5 weeks.
“We thank the wonderful Preakness & Pimlico folks that have reached out to us & very much appreciate the invite. We wish you all a great race!!!!”
In other significant Preakness developments, Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter has been given the go-ahead to run and is likely to start favorite, while D Wayne Lukas's Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath will bid to become only the seventh filly to win the race.
• Visit the Pimlico website and the Preakness Stakes website
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