Tuesday works: Rich Strike returns to the tab at Saratoga

Rich Strike had his first timed work in over a year Tuesday at Saratoga for new trainer Bill Mott, breezing three furlongs in 39.6 seconds.

Winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby at 80-1, Rich Strike is 0-for-6 since and hasn’t raced or worked since finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Alysheba in May 2023. 

That same month, owner Rick Dawson moved the son of Keen Ice to Mott’s care after a split with trainer Eric Reed.

Rich Strike arrived at Saratoga last month, with Mott telling Daily Racing Form that there was maybe a “50-50 shot” that he would return to racing. “If he stays sound, he should be good. There won’t be any in between.”

Also getting back to work at Saratoga on Tuesday was Preakness winner Seize the Grey, who was seventh in the Belmont Stakes last out. He went five furlongs in 59.2 seconds for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Rich Strike and Seize the Grey were among five graded-stakes winners with published works Tuesday.

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Kentucky Derby), worked three furlongs in 39.6 seconds at Saratoga on Tuesday morning. It was the slowest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Alysheba (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 5 for trainer Eric Reed.

Seize the Grey (Arrogate), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Preakness), worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Saratoga on Tuesday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed seventh in the Belmont going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Highestdistinction (Point of Entry), a Grade 3 winner (2023 International Turf Cup), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Monmouth Park on Tuesday morning. It was the third fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 13 for trainer Lindsay Schultz.

Lemon Muffin (Collected), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Honeybee), worked four furlongs in 48.7 seconds at Saratoga on Tuesday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 29 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Whelen Springs (Street Sense), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Philip H. Iselin), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Monmouth Park on Tuesday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he placed seventh in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 15 for trainer Lindsay Schultz.