The 2022 Kentucky Derby Winner RICH STRIKE is moving on up.

The one-hit-wonder will join the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott when the colt returns from a short break from racing.

Eric Reed had been the trainer for RICH STRIKE since he claimed him from a $30,000 Maiden Claiming race at Churchill Downs in September 2021.

In his most recent start, the 4-year-old son of KEEN ICE ran a non-threatening 5th in the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 5th- that being his first start of 2023.

RICH STRIKE owner Rick Dawson; “Bill was my first choice, Bill and I have had a number of conversations over the last couple weeks and I feel very confident Richie will be in great care and oversight. I can’t thank Bill enough for accepting the task of training Richie to his full potential.”

Mott runs predominantly in Kentucky and New York for much of the year, and in Florida during the winter. He ships horses to Stakes races across the country.

He keeps a Kentucky division with assistant Kenny McCarthy and maintains stables at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, where he often trains many of his better horses from spring through fall.

RICH STRIKE, winless in six starts since his 80-1 upset in the Derby, has two Wins, one 2nd, and three 3rds in 14 starts overall with earnings of more than $2.5 million.

The resume of Bill Mott needs no embellishment, but if he can get this reclamation project back to the Winner’s Circle it will be a fine feather for his fedora.

Best of luck Bill and Richie.