Just after 2pm on August 14, the winner of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) arrived Racecourse Saratoga. Rich Strike Run for the Roses’ undoubted 80-1 winner, was led out of Sallee’s carriage and driven home for the next two weeks, at coach Dale Romans’ barn.
Rich Strike will go on sale in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) on August 27.
Rich Strike began his trip to the Spa from coach Eric Reed’s Mercury Equine Center in Lexington, Ky., at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 14. He was accompanied by Ryan Cook, who was on Rich Strike’s security team. during Kentucky Derby week.
“He was a good delivery man,” said Reed, who drove his own car and beat Rich Strike to Saratoga a few hours. “He slept right in the box stall.”
Red TR-Racing’s Rich Strike, son of Keen Ice was in the same cage his male lived in 2015 when he beat the Triple Crown winner American pharoah in Travers. The Roman barn is also serving as a temporary home for another Travers candidate, Ain’t Life Grand from coach Kelly Von Hemel.
Reed said he plans to give Rich Strike his first look at the Saratoga track on Monday and will work with him on Friday or Saturday.
In Travers, Rich Strike will probably face two horses – Epicenter and Zandon – who finished second and third, respectively, in the Derby. Reed does not predict Travers winning, but is confident that Rich Strike will work well.
“I hope he runs well for his fans,” he said. “I know he’ll make it. He always runs his hardest in the end. If things work out and he gets his ride, he can beat all of these horses. He is. I’ve shown I can beat them.”
