He was claimed for $30,000 by Eric Reed. On October 9, Rich Strike was entered in an allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland. He bobbled at the start and had to be steadied entering the first turn after being bumped.
Why did Rich Strike act up after the race?
Rich Strike was still amped up when outrider Greg Blasi came over to help settle him down after the race. The horse wouldn’t cooperate and remained out of control, repeatedly biting Blasi and his pony as the Churchill Downs crowd looked on.
Why was Rich Strike pulled from the Preakness?
The choice to skip the Preakness was made in the interest of rest and recovery for the horse, Dawson said. “Obviously, with our tremendous effort and 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,” Dawson said.
How did Rich Strike qualify for the Kentucky Derby?
Reed says the 3-year-old thoroughbred only made it into the Derby after another horse scratched. Rich Strike, the winner of the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Where was Rich Strike claimed from?
Calumet Farm
It was the veteran horseman’s first Kentucky Derby starter; he and owner Richard Dawson claimed Rich Strike for $30,000 from breeder Calumet Farm and trainer Joe Sharp last September at Churchill Downs. Reed, who watched the race from the paddock, fell to the ground after Rich Strike crossed the wire first.
Was Rich Strike bought in a claiming race?
And Rich Strike had a particularly compelling back story that touched even those who are not fans of the sport. He was purchased in a claiming race for $30,000. The colt is the only horse Dawson has in training. Rich Strike’s rider, Sonny Leon, a 32-year-old from Venezuela, also has a working-class pedigree.
When did Rich Strike get claimed?
In September 2021, horse trainer Eric Reed, on behalf of Richard Dawson’s RED-TR Racing, bought Rich Strike for $30,000 at a claiming race at Churchill Downs.
What was wrong with Rich Strike?
The problem was Rich Strike didn’t like being in the middle of the track. The rail is his usual position in racing. When the field turned for home with eventual winner Mo Donegal in front by three lengths, Rich Strikenever threatened in his first start since the Derby. His owners skipped the Preakness.
Why didn t Rich Strike run in the?
Dawson said it was best for the colt to get extra rest and not run back in two weeks at Pimlico. Rich Strike was not expected to be the morning line favorite for the Preakness, with Derby runner-up Epicenter and Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath set to be part of the field.
Why was Rich Strike biting the pony after the race?
“The man did his job. He reached out and grabbed ahold of the horse, and it made the horse mad. He didn’t know he was trying to help him. He thought he was supposed to outrun that horse, and he bit the guy’s leg terribly — bit his arm a couple, really bad bites,” Reed continued.
What does claiming a racehorse mean?
In horse racing, a claiming race is a type of race in which the horses are put up for sale at a set price. The horse’s owner must agree to sell the horse if someone makes a claim on them during the race. If more than one person puts in a claim, the horse goes to the highest bidder.
Why did Rich Strike bite the horse?
He thought he was supposed to outrun that horse, and he bit the guy’s leg terribly — bit his arm a couple, really bad bites,” Reed continued. “The horse is not a mean horse. He just was in race mode and he didn’t understand why they were grabbing him to slow him down.
What does Rich Strike mean?
phrase. If you strike it rich, you make a lot of money, especially in a short time.
Who Punched Rich Strike and why?
If Rich Strike had been given a few moments to calm down after the Kentucky Derby, he may not have reacted to his chaotic surroundings by biting the outrider and his horse, after which the outrider punched him.
How was Rich Strike acquired?
Rich Strike was purchased by Dawson, who races as RED TR-Racing LLC, for $30,000 last fall when the colt was entered in a low-level claiming race by former owner Calumet Farm.
What is the history of Rich Strike?
Rich Strike was the improbable winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby, which he won as an 80-1 longshot for trainer Eric Reed with journeyman rider Sonny Leon aboard. Rich Strike broke his maiden in impressive fashion at Churchill Downs on Sept. 17, 2021, his second career start.
Who made the biggest bet on Rich Strike?
Stacie Conard and her five children won $25,000 when Rich Strike pulled off the upset with 80 to 1 odds, winning Kentucky Derby 148. NEW ALBANY, Ind.
How much did bets pay for Rich Strike?
But winning at 80/1 odds, Rich Strike paid $163.60 on a $2 win bet and triggered some huge payouts in the exotic pools. Rich Strike’s win payout was the second-highest all-time in the Kentucky Derby behind Donerail ($184.90) in 1913.
Who sired Rich Strike?
Keen Ice
Rich Strike was sired by Keen Ice out of Gold Strike (by Smart Strike). Keen Ice is a son of Curlin, who at one time was the highest-earning North American Thoroughbred. Curlin was sired by Smart Strike (the same sire of Gold Strike). Keen Ice finished his racing career with career earnings of $3.4 million.
What was Rich Strike doing after the race?
However, Rich Strike stole the show himself with his post-race antics. After crossing the finish line, it appears that the winning horse was biting other horses around him. Rich Strike wins the Derby and immediately starts trying to eat the other horses.
Has Rich Strike won any races?
Jockey Sonny Leon rides Rich Strike to victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. Even though intuitively a late-running horse should have an advantage in such a long race, history has not borne that out.