Buy TicketsRED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike continued to prepare for his 2023 debut by working a bullet 5 furlongs in :59.80 early Friday morning over a fast track for trainer Eric Reed.
With Gabriel Lagunes aboard, the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner posted fractions of :23.80, :47.80, :59.80 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:13.40.
“Gabe said he was perfect this morning and worked the way he did before the Derby,” Reed said of Rich Strike, who is nominated to the 92nd running of Keeneland’s $300,000 Ben Ali (G3) to be run at 1 3/16 miles on April 22. “I want to get him as tight as I can before his first time out against horses that have been running. If all goes well, that will point him for the ($1 million) Stephen Foster (G1 on July 1 at Churchill Downs).”
Reed said the Ben Ali is in the mix for the 2023 debut along with next Saturday’s $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and the $600,000 Alysheba (G2) Presented by Sentient Jet at Churchill on May 5.
“I’ll talk it over with (owner) Rick (Dawson) the next couple of days,” Reed said. “The Alysheba is probably the most likely spot. He would work again in nine or 10 days, and it would be at Churchill Downs.”