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Rich Strike to Bypass Preakness, Point for Belmont

Upset Kentucky Derby (G1) winner galloped May 12 at Mercury Equine Center.

Rich Strike gallops May 12 at Mercury Equine Center

Rich Strike gallops May 12 at Mercury Equine Center

Anne M. Eberhardt

Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Rich Strike will bypass the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in favor of a run in the June 11 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Belmont Park, owner Rick Dawson announced May 12.

"Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the Kentucky Derby," Dawson said in a release. "Should we not run in the Derby, we would point toward the Preakness; should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome and the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time and rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with five or six weeks' rest between races.

"Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby it's very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group, however, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer Eric Reed and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what's best for 'Ritchie' is what's best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks.

"We thank the wonderful Preakness and Pimlico folks that have reached out to us and very much appreciate the invite."

Dawson races Rich Strike under his stable name, RED TR-Racing.

John Fradkin, owner/breeder of 2021 Preakness winner Rombauer, took to Twitter Thursday to applaud the decision.

Physical setbacks—such as injury, fatigue, or illness—have at times kept horses out of the Preakness or Belmont Stakes following Derby success.

The demanding two-week turnaround from the Derby to the Preakness can also lead some horsemen to await the Belmont with their horses, though if physically able, Derby winners regularly participate, with their connections taking a chance at pursuing the Triple Crown.

Mandaloun , promoted in February by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to first in the 2021 Derby, did not race in last year's Preakness, nor did he compete in the Belmont Stakes. His trainer, Brad Cox, freshened him after the Derby and returned him to action during the summer.

Medina Spirit, who crossed the wire first last year before ultimately being placed last in the Derby for a post-race positive test, ran third in the Preakness.

Country House , who took the 2019 Derby via the disqualification of Maximum Security , also didn't race in the second or third legs of the Triple Crown. His Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, said prior to the Preakness that the colt would skip the race after showing signs of illness after the Derby.

He never raced after the Derby and was eventually retired to stud after a case of laminitis.

With the formal removal of Rich Strike, runner-up Epicenter  is the top Derby finisher expected to run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Early Voting , Secret Oath, and Simplification  are other leading contenders.