Rich Strike’s team considering options
Louisville, Ky. — Rich Strike's stunning Kentucky Derby upset has the sports world buzzing and led to a sleepless night of celebration that Eric Reed was still recovering from Sunday morning.
The veteran trainer and everybody around him partied long after the 80-1 long shot pulled off a monumental feat on Saturday. Once their heads clear, the next step will be decide whether Rich Strike's storybook journey continues at the 147th Preakness on May 21 in Baltimore.
“As long as he's OK and after a week I know that it's the right thing to do, we'll do it,” Reed said Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. “I have to do what I've done from day one with this horse, and that's manage him and take care of him.”
Similar decisions await for some of the favorites Rich Strike chased down late with Sonny Leon aboard on the way to clocking 2:02.61 in the 1 1/4-mile Derby.
Though seeking redemption would be understandable for runner-up Epicenter -- the 4-1 favorite who was just a quarter mile from giving Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen his long-sought first Derby win -- the two-week turnaround for the 1 3/16th mile at Pimlico Race Course is a concern.
Taking some time
Asmussen wants to give Epicenter's owner, Ron Winchell, time to figure it out.
His focus is the long-term future for the horse, whose margin behind Rich Strike and ahead of third-place Zandon was just three quarters of a length each.
“That's where I think our responsibility lies now, how do we make him 3-year old champion?,” the trainer said. “He's a very talented horse, has very good ability and just was second in the Derby. We need to map out a schedule that we think can will make him the champion 3-year-old.”
Trainer Chad Brown was pleased with Zandon's race but lamented not being able to win it. Todd Pletcher said his Derby trio of Mo Donegal, Charge It and Pioneer of Medina were “doing well” but likely headed back to New York after finishing out of contention.
Tim Yakteen, who took over Messier and 5-1 second choice Taiba for suspended Bob Baffert, said the Preakness is in consideration for Taiba.