Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike Works at Churchill

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Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike Works at Churchill
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Photo: Coady Photography
Rich Strike trains in April at Churchill Downs

Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Rich Strike  returned to the work tab May 21 at Churchill Downs, clocking four furlongs in :47 1/5 in his first move since his 80-1 upset victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Eric Reed trains the son of Keen Ice  , who bypassed Saturday's Preakness Stakes (G1) and is aimed for the June 11 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Belmont Park for owner Rick Dawson's RED-TR Racing.

Rich Strike breezed with exercise rider Gabe Lagunes in the saddle through an opening quarter-mile fraction of :22 4/5 and galloped out to five furlongs in 1:00 3/5.

"Skipping the Preakness was still one of the toughest decisions I had to make as a trainer," said Reed, who stood alongside owner Dawson for the work. "I just don't think he would've been mentally ready to run against those horses again."

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Reed originally reported Rich Strike would van to Belmont next week, but he will now keep the Derby winner in Barn 17 at Churchill until May 31. Rich Strike is tentatively scheduled to work again May 30.

"He does so well here I just didn't want to change anything yet," Reed said. "He'll get eight or nine days at Belmont to gallop and get used to the surface."

Jockey Sonny Leon, who rode Rich Strike to victory in the Derby, will have the return call in the Belmont.

Also working Saturday at Churchill was WSS Racing's Barber Road , the sixth-place finisher in the Derby, who covered a half-mile in :48 3/5. Trainer John Ortiz said following the Derby that the Belmont Stakes was on the radar for the late-running Race Day  colt.