You folks remember RICH STRIKE ? Of course you do- he was the 80-1 longshot Winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

That Victory captured the attention of race fans and gave the colt a strong following during the remainder of his 3-year-old campaign.

His trainer back then was Eric Reed, but Mr. Reed is no longer in the picture.

RICH STRIKE has joined the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott at Saratoga, and has resumed regular training in hopes he’ll be able to make a comeback to the races.

“It’s a day at a time,” Mott said earlier this week. “He’s had some issues to overcome, but he’s been given the proper amount of time. Hopefully with each little baby step that we take, he keeps improving and he’s able to maintain his soundness.”

The current record for RICH STRIKE stands at earnings of $2.5 million dollars with two lifetime Victories, as well as a 2nd in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic and a 3rd in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks.

He took some time off after finishing 6th in the G1 Clark in November 2022, but his return in May of 2023 in the G2 Alysheba resulted in a disappointing 5th place finish which in turn led to a veterinary evaluation by renowned equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage.

Might we see RICH STRIKE this summer at The Spa?

Mott has not provided a timeline or a prospective start but is personally keeping an eye on the horse’s progress at Saratoga.

“He’s very happy,” Mott said. “He’s been on the track and he’s moving quite well.”

We shall see…