Rich Strike Story Resonated With Readers in 2022
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Rich Strike defeats Epicenter in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Rich Strike may not have garnered much attention when left the starting gate at 80-1 odds in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, but his underdog story caught the eyes of BloodHorse readers, beginning with his upset in the Run for the Roses. The Derby winner was the subject of four of the top 10 most-viewed stories on BloodHorse.com in 2022.
Readers excitedly took in BloodHorse's Derby recap of his surprise victory, the colt's background as the first claimed horse to win the Run for the Roses, trainer Eric Reed savoring the experience after Rich Strike making the race as an also-eligible, and the colt's exit from Derby in good condition.
Yet RED TR-Racing's Rich Strike was not the subject of the top story of 2022 on BloodHorse.com. Topping the list was BloodHorse legal correspondent Dick Downey's unusual story about a lawsuit that alleged that a stakes-winning broodmare prospect is a male.
The death of off-track Thoroughbred Dead Solid Perfect at age 39 and his touching bond with longtime owner Bridget Eukers also attracted readers to be among the most-viewed BloodHorse articles of 2022, alongside other stories of heartbreak.
Soon-to-be-crowned 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline failed to crack the top 10 of BloodHorse's most-viewed stories, though three articles about the unbeaten and now-retired star were not far behind in positions 12-14.
The full top-10 list with accompanying links to articles can be viewed below:
1. Downey: Suit Alleges Stakes-Winning Broodmare Prospect is Male
2. Hall: Surgery Planned for Epicenter After BC Classic Injury
3. King: Rich Strike Stuns With 80-1 Kentucky Derby Upset
4. Mitchell: Exercise Rider Witt Dies in Keeneland Training Accident
5. King: Senior Thoroughbred Dead Solid Perfect Dies at Age 39
6. Daugherty: Rich Strike First Claimed Horse to Win Kentucky Derby
7. Crosby, Wilkin: Brown Arrested on 'Obstruction of Breathing' Charge
8. Crosby, King: Reed Savors Experience as Rich Strike Makes Derby Field
9. Mitchell: Rich Strike Exits Derby With Vigor, On to Preakness
10. Ehalt: Country Grammer Wins Dubai World Cup for Baffert