Team Valor, Barber Buy Into Grey Winner Riker

The 3-year-old colt Riker, a Canadian grade III winner at 2, has been bought into privately by Team Valor International and Gary Barber and will be turned over to trainer Mark Casse to work toward a Triple Crown prep.

 

Current owners Carlo and Lou Tucci have retained a 25% interest in the Include   colt, whose 10 eligibility points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) has been exceeded by only 10 other 3-year-olds.

 

A three-time stakes-winning juvenile at Woodbine last year, Riker has been based at Gulfstream Park this winter and has breezed twice recently. Under previous trainer Nicholas Gonzalez, Riker went unbeaten in his first four starts, taking the 2015 Colin Stakes, Swyford Stakes, and Grey Stakes (Can-III) in succession.

 

 

He subsequently set the pace before yielding late to finish sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Keeneland. The colt was among the 368 horses nominated early for Triple Crown series.