Longshot hero Rich Strike , who shocked the world by winning the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) at odds of 80-1, is back with a fresh start to his career. The now 5-year-old has settled into his new home at Saratoga Race Course this week as he attempts to make a comeback.
“He’s doing great, he’s very happy,” said the Derby winner’s new Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “He’s happy with his surroundings. He’s been on the track and he’s moving quite well.”
The best races of Rich Strike’s career have come at Churchill Downs, a track where Mott keeps a satellite string of horses. However, the Hall of Famer decided to bring Rich Strike to Saratoga, at least for now, so that he can personally oversee his progress.
Rich Strike wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
“I’m here the majority of the time,” Mott said. “I wanted to see him on a daily basis. If something goes wrong, I want to be responsible.”
Rich Strike saw several things go wrong during his 4-year-old season. After finishing fifth in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs in May, trainer Eric Reed resigned due to a dispute with owner Rick Dawson over film rights. The son of Keen Ice was then diagnosed with a series of underlying leg issues that kept him off the track and ultimately led to him being retired and entered in the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale as a stallion prospect.
However, Rich Strike was withdrawn from the sale and pointed back to racing. After rest and recuperation at Margaux Farm, he was approved by Dr. Larry Bramlage for his return earlier this month.
Mott said the key to bringing a horse back from a long layoff is making sure they have “the foundation in them.” Mott referenced Rich Strike’s time jogging and cantering at Margaux Farm as getting the Derby winner back in shape and ready for the next step.
Mott plans to increase the tempo each week, increasing from gallops to two-minute licks and, eventually, breezes.
“It’s a day at a time,” Mott said. “He’s had some issues to overcome, but he’s been given the proper amount of time. He’s had all the best veterinary care and the best early foundation training. Now we just pick it up and take it from there.
“Hopefully with each little baby step that we take, he keeps improving and he’s able to maintain his soundness.”
Should Rich Strike race this year, he will be the first Derby winner since California Chrome to race at age 5. As the second-biggest longshot winner of the Derby, his place in history is already cemented. However, what happens in this second stage of his career will play a role in what his ultimate legacy will be as a racehorse. Mott is ready for that challenge.
“Naturally, our challenge would be to try and get him back to the best form that he’s shown,” Mott said. “If we can get him back to at least that, we should have some fun with him.”
Travers the goal for Batten Down, Resilience Focuses on 4-year-old Season
As Mott prepares for the return of one of 2022’s sophomore stars, he also finds himself with one of this year’s rising sophomore stars.
Juddmonte’s Batten Down followed his impressive 1 1/4-mile maiden victory with a wire-to-wire score in the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown June 22.
Batten Down wins the Ohio Derby at Thistledown
Mott had considered the son of Tapit for the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) but decided against it, a decision he says he does not regret. Now Mott will continue a rise of the ranks with the talented colt by targeting the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga July 27 as a prep for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 24.
“We know he’s already won at a mile and a quarter,” Mott said. “I think long-term we’d like to have a look at the Travers.”
Meanwhile, the horse that did race for Mott in the Belmont, Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Resilience , is taking time away from the races.
“He’s coming off a poor race and he hadn’t had any time off from the time he was broken as a yearling,” Mott said.
The Into Mischief colt gave owners Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman a thrill when he loomed a threat at the top of the Kentucky Derby stretch, but ultimately finished sixth. Training well leading into the Belmont, Resilience was a surprise disappointment when he faded to last of 10. However, Mott is optimistic for the horse’s future.
“We’re going to give him a little time and freshen him up,” Mott said. “Try to bring him back late in the year or early next year and try to have a good 4-year-old campaign.”
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
