“I can’t do anything but what’s best for the horse.” Rich Strike, the 80-1 Derby winner, will not go for the Triple Crown, as trainer Eric Reed and owner Rick Dawson stood up to the entire racing industry and put their horse first
“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,” the statement read. “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 and what’s best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks.
The Preakness is 1/16th of a mile shorter than the Derby, and it was at about that point where Rich Strike roared past Epicenter in deep stretch at Churchill. There always is discussion of the higher turns at Pimlico, and the murderous Derby pace, which set up the race for a closer, is unlikely to be duplicated. Then, there is the competition: Epicenter is confirmed for the Preakness and will likely be the favorite regardless of who else runs.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who has had little use for the Preakness, reluctantly sent Derby winners Super Saver and Always Dreaming to Pimlico. Both finished eighth. Pletcher bowed to the racing tradition in part because, as one of the leading trainers in America, he had a stable full of other candidates for the big races.
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