[Mick]

Another amazing fact is that Rich Strike was acquired by his owners last fall in a $30k claiming race.  How would like to be the guy that lost him to the claim?

That ain't shade. Perfect answer.

Doesn't surprise me much.  He finished dead last in his maiden race. Tends to break slowly, but won by 17 1/4 lengths in that $30k claimer.  He's a little skittish, was bumped in the first turn in the next race, beaten by 3.5 lengths.  His three year old debut, he finished 3rd., then 4th on March 5, then 3rd on April 2.m  Four third place finishes, including three in a row prior to the Derby.

Incidentally, he's inbred.  Smart Strike is in his second generation on his dam side and third generation on his sire side, and Deputy Minister is in his fourth generation on both sides.

Preakness Stakes is in 10 days.  Both Rich Strike and Epicenter will be there.  Epicenter is currently 3-1 favorite, Secret Oath is 11-2 and Rich Strike is 7-1.  BTW, Steve Asmussen, trainer of Epicenter had never had a Kentucky Derby win, and clearly felt he should have had it.  He threw shade on Rich Strike after the race.

I don't think the shade was that bad.  This is about as gracious as you'll ever see Steve Asmussen, who is notorious for being a prickly interview.

https://youtu.be/tLuCp-UTmqA

He repeatedly referred to Rich Strike as a claimer.  Not once did he refer to the horse as the Kentucky Derby winner.  But OK.  The sneers made it feel like shade to me, and right after said sneer he said he meant no disrespect and it was a beautiful story. But whatever.

Rich Strike's jockey, Sonny Leon, was suspended briefly (four days) for careless riding in the race prior to the Derby. And Rich Strike will not be competing in the Preakness.

[Mick]

Another amazing fact is that Rich Strike was acquired by his owners last fall in a $30k claiming race.  How would like to be the guy that lost him to the claim?

That ain't shade. Perfect answer.

Doesn't surprise me much.  He finished dead last in his maiden race. Tends to break slowly, but won by 17 1/4 lengths in that $30k claimer.  He's a little skittish, was bumped in the first turn in the next race, beaten by 3.5 lengths.  His three year old debut, he finished 3rd., then 4th on March 5, then 3rd on April 2.m  Four third place finishes, including three in a row prior to the Derby.

Incidentally, he's inbred.  Smart Strike is in his second generation on his dam side and third generation on his sire side, and Deputy Minister is in his fourth generation on both sides.

Preakness Stakes is in 10 days.  Both Rich Strike and Epicenter will be there.  Epicenter is currently 3-1 favorite, Secret Oath is 11-2 and Rich Strike is 7-1.  BTW, Steve Asmussen, trainer of Epicenter had never had a Kentucky Derby win, and clearly felt he should have had it.  He threw shade on Rich Strike after the race.

I don't think the shade was that bad.  This is about as gracious as you'll ever see Steve Asmussen, who is notorious for being a prickly interview.

https://youtu.be/tLuCp-UTmqA

He repeatedly referred to Rich Strike as a claimer.  Not once did he refer to the horse as the Kentucky Derby winner.  But OK.  The sneers made it feel like shade to me, and right after said sneer he said he meant no disrespect and it was a beautiful story. But whatever.

Rich Strike's jockey, Sonny Leon, was suspended briefly (four days) for careless riding in the race prior to the Derby. And Rich Strike will not be competing in the Preakness.