Kentucky Derby hopeful rich strike works

RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike, third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on April 2, worked a half-mile in :48 over a fast main track Saturday morning for trainer Eric Reed. 

Going into this afternoon’s Stonestreet Lexington (G3), the final points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Rich Strike has accumulated 21 points to be 22^nd on the leaderboard. The Derby is limited to the top 20 point earners that pass the entry box on May 2. 

“After what we went through with the barn fire a few years ago, this is like a dream,” said Reed, who lost 23 horses plus all of his tack and supplies in the December 2016 blaze at his Mercury Equine Center in Lexington. “I wasn’t even sure we would still be in business.” 

But Reed still is in business, and the Derby dream hinges on this afternoon’s Stonestreet Lexington. Five horses entered in the race could pass Rich Strike on the leaderboard. 

“He is getting good at the right time,” Reed said of Rich Strike. “If we don’t make the Derby, it’s been fun trying.”