Page 16 - aruba-today-20220513

A16 sports
Friday 13 May 2022

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike not running in Preakness

By STEPHEN WHYNO owners, trainer Reed and
AP Sports Writer jockey Sonny Leon had all
Rich Strike will not run in the never won the race.
Preakness after his major Adding to the impressive
upset to win the Kentucky tale, Rich Strike had won
Derby, keeping horse rac- only once before and had
ing from having a Triple been claimed for $30,000
Crown winner for a fourth — pennies in racing and
consecutive year. unlikely for Derby-caliber
Owner Rich Dawson made horses.
the stunning announce- Neither Reed nor the Mary-
ment Thursday, 10 days be- land Jockey Club immedi-
fore the race in Maryland. ately responded to mes-
Dawson said he and trainer sages from the AP seeking
Eric Reed agreed to stick comment.
with the initial plan for Rich With Rich Strike pointing
Strike and rest him for five to the Belmont, the Preak-
weeks. Rich Strike, at 80-1, ness appears to be a wide-
was the biggest long shot open race among horses
to win the Derby in more back from the Derby, po-
than a century. Only Don- tentially including Zandon
erail in 1913 paid more to and fourth-place finisher
win. Simplification.
The plan now is to have Trainer Chad Brown, who
Rich Strike ready to run in saddles Zandon, is also ex-
the Belmont Stakes in New Rich Strike (21), with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race pected to enter Early Vot-
York on June 11. Dawson at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. ing.
said it was wise for the colt Associated Press Horse racing has had two
to get extra rest and not recent Triple Crown win-
face a short, two-week "We thank the wonderful center and Kentucky Oaks ficial Derby champion for ners: American Pharoah
turnaround at Pimlico. Preakness and Pimlico folks winner Secret Oath set the second time in four in 2015 and Justify in 2018.
"It's very, very tempting to that have reached out and to be part of the field. He years. Country House and Each was trained by Baf-
alter our course and run in very much appreciate the could have been the first disqualified winner Maxi- fert, who is currently serving
the Preakness at Pimlico, invite." Derby winner not to go off mum Security skipped the a suspension in Kentucky
which would be a great Reed did not immediately as the Preakness favorite at race in 2019. for medication violations
honor for all our group," respond to a message from post time since 2012 when Bob Baffert-trained Medina that is being observed in
Dawson said in a news The Associated Press seek- I'll Have Another won the Spirit finished third in the Maryland and elsewhere.
release. "However, after ing comment. first two legs of the Triple 2021 Preakness after test- Baffert transferred Derby
much discussion and con- Rich Strike was not expect- Crown. ing positive following the horses Taiba and Messier
sideration … we are go- ed to be the morning-line With Rich Strike's surprise Derby for a substance not to former assistant Tim Yak-
ing to stay with our plan of favorite for the Preakness, withdrawal, the Preakness allowed on race day. Man- teen.
what's best for Ritchie. with Derby runner-up Epi- will go on without the of- daloun, who was elevated Neither is expected to run
to the 2021 Derby win long in the Preakness.
LIKE US ON after Medina Spirit tested Longtime Baffert friend D.
positive, did not run in the Wayne Lukas confirmed
Preakness last year. Wednesday that filly Se-
Rich Strike's incred- cret Oath would run in the
ible charge past the lead- Preakness and decided
ers down the stretch at to pick a different race
Churchill Downs after being next Saturday for Ethereal
initially left out of the Derby Road — the horse that was
Facebook.com/arubatoday/ field became one of the scratched to make room in
biggest upsets in sports. The the Derby for Rich Strike.q