Hopeful of restarting the racing profession of 2022 Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve winner Wealthy Strike after time away for suspensory ligament points, proprietor Rick Dawson posted on Fb June 13 that the plan is to maneuver the horse into the barn of Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott “in just a few days.”
Dawson continued, “‘Richie’s’ coaching shall be stepped up slowly and forwardly over the subsequent month or two. Ought to he proceed to remain sound after extra coaching is applied, we are going to search for a primary race that matches him getting back from over a yr off the monitor.”
Dawson didn’t specify whether or not Wealthy Strike would be a part of Mott at Saratoga Race Course, his principal stabling location for a lot of of his greatest horses, or with the coach’s satellite tv for pc division in Kentucky.
Additionally Thursday, Dawson posted a video of famed equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage monitoring the colt jogging whereas visiting Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for a checkup. Accompanying the video, Dawson wrote that Wealthy Strike was given an ultrasound take a look at, and “all is nice.” He added that Bramlage says, “He is wanting nice!!”
Requested by BloodHorse for additional remark, Dawson texted he would offer an replace after talking with Mott, who has not but skilled Wealthy Strike up to now in his profession.
Dawson did share a video of what he mentioned was Wealthy Strike jogging and galloping June 14 at Margaux Farm. He commented, “Margaux is the explanation Wealthy Strike has come this far and truly an opportunity to probably race once more.”
Wealthy Strike, a now 5-year-old son of Eager Ice, is unraced since a fifth-place end within the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes introduced by Twinspires at Churchill Downs on Might 5, 2023. Quickly afterward, Dawson — who races as RED TR-Racing — and coach Eric Reed, who saddled him to his 80-1 upset within the Derby a yr earlier and skilled him for the majority of his profession, parted methods in what initially stemmed from a dispute over movie rights.
Mott was then introduced by Dawson as Wealthy Strike’s new coach whereas the horse rehabbed at Margaux Farm.
Final fall, Dawson introduced Wealthy Strike could be retired from racing to pursue a stallion profession, citing nagging bodily points that continued after a resumption of sunshine coaching at Margaux Farm in central Kentucky. He was entered within the 2023 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale earlier than being withdrawn.
Dawson then started implementing a restoration plan that might permit Wealthy Strike each likelihood to heal sufficiently and return to motion. This yr, the horse underwent stem cell remedy and, after a interval of relaxation, resumed coaching at Margaux Farm.
The chestnut is 2-1-3 in 14 begins with earnings of greater than $2.5 million. He initially raced for breeder Calumet Farm and coach Joe Sharp earlier than being claimed for $30,000 by Dawson and Reed from his second race, a 17 1/4-length maiden claiming win at Churchill Downs in September 2021.
