Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will miss the Dubai World Cup over what owner Rick Dawson called “unacceptable” travel plans.
Instead, the fan favourite will remain in the US to be campaigned at home with the $300,000 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park on March 25 – the same day as the $12 million showpiece at Meydan – emerging as his new target.
“After receiving details from Dubai racing group setting out travel plans for Richie, which in Eric and my opinion are unacceptable and not in the best interest of Richie and our team, we will not be racing in Dubai in 2023,” said Dawson in a post on Facebook.
Rich Strike was the longshot winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs who propelled trainer Eric Reed, jockey Sonny Leon and Dawson to national fame by capturing the first leg of the Triple Crown series at odds of 80-1 and only after getting into the field following a late scratch.
He was the highest-profile name among the entries for the Dubai World Cup which had been considered a more suitable target than last weekend’s $20m Saudi Cup for the colt's first overseas trip.
The Meydan contest is run over a distance of 1m2f, a furlong further than the Saudi Cup, in which Japan’s Panthalassa beat Country Grammer. Both could both run in Dubai.
Reed, who saw Rich Strike finish last of six in the G1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 25, has previously stated that his stable star was better with more time between races.
Dawson said the new 2023 campaign would involve Rich Strike competing in five or six events through the year. “We are now planning to stay in the US and race five or six times, all contingent on Richie remaining sound and healthy," he went on.
“As a first race back from a long layoff, we are leaning toward Richie running in KY Cup Classic at Turfway Park on March 25 which will begin his 4YO campaign. Subsequent race schedule will be posted as determined. GO RICHIE!!"
Rich Strike ran three times at Turfway Park last year, finishing third in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on his last start before the Kentucky Derby, and has breezed over the Tapeta track during February.
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