Rich Strike Is Resting, but He’s Not Done Racing

The colt’s past performances for the year tell the story of an honest racehorse that competed against the best of his generation and never embarrassed himself: nine starts, one victory and three in-the-money finishes for more than $2.4 million in earnings.

“Those were tough races, but he always showed up and tried hard,” Leon said. “He will always be my favorite horse.”

Rich Strike is resting now on a farm in the bluegrass, just being a horse. But he is not finished. There have been modest offers from stallion stations in America as well as overseas to stand him for stud.

Come January, however, Reed will bring him back to his training center near Lexington, Ky., and begin getting him ready for an ambitious campaign. Dawson, the owner, wants to run him as a 4-year-old.

“He is twice the horse that he was in May physically and mentally,” Reed said. “He’s grown up.”

The first stop is Dubai on March 25 for the $12 million World Cup and, if Rich Strike stays happy and healthy, the last will be Santa Anita Park in California on Nov. 4 for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. In between, Reed is pointing for three stakes races in Kentucky and New York.

The Dixons will be along for the ride, as will Leon and Lagunes.

“Everybody is still on the team and there is no plan to change them,” Reed said. “Win or lose, Rich Strike has done enough for us. Hey, we won the Kentucky Derby.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/29/sports/rich-strike-kentucky-derby.html