Rich Strike arrives at Bill Mott’s barn in Saratoga

Winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby Rich Strike is now galloping with trainer Bill Mott in Saratoga.

According to a report by David Grening of Daily Race FormRich Strike was transported to Saratoga on Friday and arrived at Mott’s stable on Saturday. Rick Dawson, Rich Strike’s owner, announced in early June that the horse’s ultrasounds had gone well enough that he could be brought to Mott’s stable and intensify his training.

Mott expects Rich Strike to have to gallop for several more weeks before he is ready to gallop again. Although Rich Strike has returned to the racetrack, it is not certain whether the 5-year-old gelding by Keen Ice will race again. Mott said DRF that Dawson “realizes that we may have a 50-50 chance of making it (back to racing). If he stays healthy, he should be good. There will be nothing in between.”

Rich Strike is winless in five starts since his 80-1 victory in the Race for the Roses, with his best finish coming in second by a head. Hot Rod Charlie in the 2022 Lukas Classic (G2). His only start in 2023 was a fifth-place finish behind Smile Happy in the Alysheba (G2) as a precursor to the Kentucky Oaks, and he has not raced since.