Rich Strike

Acknowledging that Rich Strike (Keen Ice) will soon be "officially" retired," owner Rick Dawson said Thursday that he has been talking to stallion farms in both Kentucky and New York and hopes to strike a deal shortly so that his 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner will be available for the upcoming breeding season. "The only reason I haven't officially announced his retirement is that I'm waiting to come to an agreement for stallion rights," Dawson said "Then I can do it all at once, make the announcement that he has...

As first reported by Horse Racing Nation, 80-1 GI Kentucky Derby shocker Rich Strike (Keen Ice) has suffered another setback due to an injury sustained during a training session in New York. According to an interview with the publication, Rich Strike had been in training with Bill Mott up at Saratoga when a ligament tear was discovered in his left front leg, albeit in a different location from the previous suspensory ligament injury, and he was sent back to Margaux Farm in Midway, KY. "I'll know exactly what I'm going...

RED TR-Racing's 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice) posted his second work back off an extended layoff, breezing over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma training track Friday morning. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said that he caught Keen Ice--with Neil Poznansky in the irons--covering three furlongs solo in :38 (10/16). Rich Strike stepped onto the fast track from the first turn in the company of a pony immediately after the second renovation break and was brought up to the top of the stretch to stand watch for...

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), who upset the GI Kentucky Derby at 80-1 in 2022, is set to join trainer Bill Mott, according to owner Rick Dawson. Rich Strike was last seen finishing fifth for his former trainer Eric Reed in the 2023 running of the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs. "Richie visited Rood & Riddle this morning for his final ultrasound test," Dawson said in a Facebook post on Thursday. "All went as good as could be expected & better than expectations on several issues - our plan is...

Stop me if you've heard this one before: A horse gets claimed for a relatively cheap $30,000, later scores qualifying points at Turfway Park in March to get into one of the sport's most prestigious races at Churchill Downs, then ends up winning a career-defining Grade I stakes at improbable odds on the first weekend of May. That storyline describes the long-shot career of Rich Strike, who upset the GI Kentucky Derby at 80-1 back in 2022. But it also could be the 2024 script for newly crowned stakes victress...

Owner Rick Dawson has changed his mind a few times regarding the career of his GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice). One day he's coming back to the races, another day he's to be sold as a stallion prospect, the next day it's back to trying to get him back to the races. It's not that Dawson is indecisive, it's more a matter of him reacting to what is a constantly changing situation. "A few weeks before the sale we had made plans to ship him to Gulfstream...

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), winner of the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby, has been withdrawn from Friday's Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale and will remain in light training, owner Rick Dawson has announced. "After much consideration, I have revised my plan for Rich Strike (KY Derby Champ #148/2022) and will not enter him in Keeneland Sales auction on Friday, 11/17/23," a statement from Dawson read. "At this time Rich Strike will continue his stay and light exercise at Margaux Farm. I would like to thank my family, friends and...

Keeneland has added 10 supplemental entries to its Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will be held Friday in Lexington. The added entries, which include 2023 stakes winner Lady Lowery (Munnings), bring the total number of catalogued horses for the one-session auction to 330. Bidding begins at noon. The other supplements are: two-time 2023 allowance winner Detroit City (Dialed In); 3-year-old filly Frothy (Liam's Map); recent Churchill maiden special weight-winning 2-year-old Heart Headed (Oscar Performance); 3-year-old filly Lady Claypoole (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); 2-year-old colt Masmak (Vino Rosso); two-time 2023 allowance...

Grade I Kentucky Derby longshot hero Rich Strike will be retired and offered as a stallion prospect at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale on Friday, Nov. 17, the organization said in a release Thursday. The 4-year-old colt by Keen Ice will be consigned by Candy Meadows Farm, agent and is available for inspection in Lexington by appointment. "Effectively immediately I am announcing the retirement of Rich Strike from racing," owner Rick Dawson said. "Over the past few months, Rich Strike was given the opportunity to rehab and...

GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice) is making progress since being sidelined since May with tendon problems and may make it back in time to compete in the Jan. 27 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, reports his owner Rick Dawson. Rich Strike last raced on May 5 when a distant fifth in the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs. He was subsequently transferred from the barn of trainer Eric Reed to Hall of Famer Bill Mott. "The bigger races we are pointing toward would include...

1/ST Racing & Gaming is ready to shake up the Triple Crown. The company, which operates Pimlico Race Course, has confirmed to the TDN that it is giving strong consideration to moving the date of the GI Preakness S. so that it is run four weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby. "We have discussed it internally and believe it's in the best interests of horses and horse safety to move the race four weeks after the Kentucky Derby," said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer of 1/ST Racing & Gaming. "This...

Two weeks after it was announced that Eric Reed had resigned as the trainer of Rich Strike (Keen Ice), the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner has found a new home. Owner Rick Dawson has chosen Hall of Famer Bill Mott to take over the training duties. The story was first reported by Horse Racing Nation. "I have followed Bill's career for a while and have always been impressed with how he prepares his horses," Dawson said. "I wasn't on the inside, but it always seemed to me that he is...