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| Rowan Anderson |
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Rich Strike: the 3YO colt who conquered the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby.
He will now look to return to the winner’s circle in the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 25.
Trainer Eric Reed has said that his horse has improved since the feature win in May putting his competitors on notice.
“He is twice the horse that he was in May physically and mentally,” Reed told media.
“He's definitely grown up.”
The horse will be put back into work in coming weeks preparing him for the DWC and regular jockey Sonny Leon will be retained for the ride.
The win in the Derby was the first graded stakes win for Leon, who put in an impressive performance in the win.
"You know we had a difficult post but I know the horse," said the hoop.
"I didn't know if he could win but I had a good feeling with him. I had to wait until the stretch and that's what I did. I waited and then the rail opened up. I wasn't nervous, I was excited. Nobody knows my horse like I know my horse."
He was the second longest odds winner of the Kentucky Derby feature at USD $80-1 odds as a last minute entry with the scratching of Ethereal Road.
At the time and prior to the Derby trainer Eric Reed had said that his horse loved the track and was to be entered into another race, the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.
"He's never been better; he loves this track," said Reed.
"All week long, I was like, 'He just gets better every day.' He's so happy right now. It's just a blessing to be able to run."
The colt got out well by settled towards the back of the pack after the first half-mile, 17 lengths behind the leaders. With Summer is Tomorrow and Crown Pride battling up from Rich Strike came through the field before getting out from the rail four horses deep.
Even after being checked, he drove in the inside of Epicenter to draw clear and take victory by three-quarters of a length in the shock triumph.
Trainer Eric Reed has laid out a plan for his upset Kentucky Derby winner to run five times this year. The soon-to-be 4-year-old son of Keen Ice most recently finished sixth in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on November 25 and has since been taking a well-deserved break.
If the DWC campaign goes to plan he will return to the United Stated for three starts between Kentucky and New York before concluding his year with the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on November 4.
By Rowan Anderson