ELMONT, NEW YORK – JUNE 09: We the People and his exercise rider walk to the barn after a morning workout prior to the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 09, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
There will be no chance of a horse winning the Triple Crown this year, after Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike did not race in the Preakness in May. But Rich Strike will still have a chance at making history on Saturday.
Barber Road walks off the track after a morning workout prior to the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2022, in Elmont, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
If Rich Strike wins The Belmont Stakes, the horse will become the first since Thunder Gulch in 1995 to win the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont but not the Preakness.
“Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome & the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time & rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with 5 or 6 weeks rest between races,” Dawson’s statement read.
Rich Strike and his exercise rider train on the track during a morning workout prior to the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2022, in Elmont, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“Obviously, with our tremendous effort & win in the Derby it’s very, very tempting to alter course & run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group, however, after much discussion & consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed & 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 5 weeks.”
While Preakness winner Early Voting will not be racing at Belmont Park on Saturday, there will be eight horses competing in the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Skippylongstocking and his exercise rider train on the track during a morning workout prior to the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2022, in Elmont, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
source: FOX 10 News Phoenix
