AC Photo

Rich Strike continues to train forwardly toward G1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets

by NYRA Press Office

• Rich Strike continues to train forwardly toward G1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets
• Limited Liability looks to kick late in G2 Pennine Ridge
• Brigadier General to pass on G1 Belmont; Flightline ready for G1 Met Mile
• Bell’s the One to skip G2 Bed o’ Roses

Kentucky Derby champion Rich Strike had his routine daily exercise over the Belmont Park main track on Friday, galloping 1 1/2 miles over the sloppy going in his latest preparation for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 11. 

Rich Strike took two turns around the Belmont paddock before heading through the tunnel and onto the main track. Guided by regular rider Gabriel Lagunes, who described the outing as “perfect,” Rich Strike was allowed to gallop at a stronger pace than his exercise on Thursday, stretching his legs and opening up his stride down the lane while maintaining a consistent pace. 

The chestnut son of Keen Ice pricked his ears down the stretch before Lagunes began to ease him up just past the finish line. 

“He was a lot happier today because we let him step out a bit,” said trainer Eric Reed. “You could see coming down the stretch he was much happier and never even got warm. That’s how you know his head is in the right place, and he loves his pony. We’ve got him a friend and that helps get him relaxed.

“I do want to get him on a dry track for two or three days and watch how he moves and comes back from the gallops just to see if there’s any difference in how he handles the surface,” Reed added. “But I don’t think that would be the case. He’s ran well at Keeneland in a troubled trip and well on synthetic, which I’m sure is not his favorite track. So, I don’t think the surface will be too big of a deal.” 

Rich Strike has been accompanied to the track each morning by outrider Juan Galvez and his pony, Stormy. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike had never had an issue with being ponied on and off the track. But after he stunned the “Run for the Roses” at odds of 80-1, Rich Strike displayed a newfound feistiness towards the pony who greeted him in the gallop out. 

Reed said having a pony that Rich Strike gets along with has helped his preparations for the Belmont Stakes. 

“The first thing I wanted to do after he got settled in was find somebody to go with him and see if he’s going to try anything in a new place,” said Reed. “That’s so much better for him [to have a pony].”

Rich Strike has had no issues with Big Sandy’s sweeping turns thus far thanks to his large frame and wide stride, something Reed said may prove beneficial on race day. 

“That’s got to help him because he’s a big, long-striding horse. There’s not so much company out here,” said Reed. “At other tracks, there’s horses all around him at all times and every time he sees a horse, he wants to go catch it. This is a lot better for him. He had a great day today.” 

Reed said he was pleased with Churchill Downs and Belmont Park for their accommodations throughout Rich Strike’s campaign. 

“Keeping him healthy is all I’m worried about,” said Reed. “Churchill was so gracious and gave us the track to work on in between races. Belmont has just gone out of their way to do so much for us. When we got here, Frank Gabriel and Juan [Dominguez] were here at 1:00 in the morning and that says a lot. We’re real happy that it’s going smooth.” 

Rich Strike has been calm and happy since arriving at Belmont early Wednesday morning and shows no signs of anxiousness in his new surroundings, something Reed said is “just him.”

“He’s an 11:00 napper and is a very routine horse – he just takes care of himself,” said Reed. “Nothing seems to shake him up. The only thing I ever had shake him up was in New Orleans [Gun Runner] when things were just all out of whack [in his routine] going into that race. That’s why it horrified me to think of running him back in two weeks in the Preakness. We had to do what’s right for the horse. I think when we school him during the races a couple times next week, hopefully he’ll be as relaxed as he always is. All we have to do now is worry if he’ll get a good race and show us if he can do it.” 

As expected with a Kentucky Derby winner, fans and media are frequent visitors at Reed’s barn. Rich Strike enjoys having the spotlight on him, looking at cameras and always observing alertly with his ears forward and head up. 

“He’s a kind horse and he loves people,” Reed said. “They’re not supposed to know, but I think he knows he’s done something. He’s enjoying it. Some horses get nervous about a lot of people. Not him.” 

***

Limited Liability looks to kick late in G2 Pennine Ridge

Stuart Janney III’s multiple graded-stakes placed homebred Limited Liabilitywill look to make the grade in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge, a nine-furlong inner-turf test for sophomores at Belmont Park.

The Pennine Ridge offers the top-three finishers an automatic berth in the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational on July 9, first leg of the Caesars Turf Triple series for sophomores. The Turf Triple continues with the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 at Saratoga Race Course and concludes with the $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby Invitational in September at Belmont. Oscar Performance [2017] and Catholic Boy [2018] parlayed Pennine Ridge wins to Belmont Derby success. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, Limited Liability enters from a neck allowance win on April 16 over good turf at Keeneland. The Kitten’s Joy grey rated last-of-12 in the 1 1/16-mile test before making an eight-wide move in upper stretch to secure the win.

Limited Liability, piloted through all four career starts by Jose Ortiz, rallied to a sharp debut win in July at Saratoga ahead of third-place finishes in the Grade 3 With Anticipation in September at the Spa and the Grade 2 Pilgrim in October at Belmont.

"He ran really good his first start at Saratoga in the maiden race and finished really well,” McGaughey said. "The two stakes he ran in were short fields, so he probably had to lay up a little closer than we wanted him to and he didn't have that kick at the end." 

McGaughey said he will look for Limited Liability, who exits post 3 Saturday under Ortiz, to make a similar late charge.

"The other day at Keeneland we were able to take him back and that's what I plan on doing tomorrow. I think that's his style," McGaughey said.

Sidekick, a 3-year-old half-brother to multiple Grade 1-winner Code of Honor, closed from last-of-7 to finish third in a six-furlong maiden special weight Thursday contested over a muddy and sealed main track.

Owned by Edward Hudson, Jr. and W.S. Farish, the Honor Code bay made a strong run down the lane under Hall of Famer John Velazquez to complete the trifecta.

"I was very pleased with the way he ran," McGaughey said. "He broke good but didn't have the speed. He finished up good and galloped out good. Johnny said something hit him around the quarter pole and he had to gather him up, so it cost him a little bit. I knew three-quarters would probably be a little too short for him, but I was ready to run him and I thought it was a good experience. He's come out of it good so far.”

Sidekick, a W.S. Farish homebred, is out of the graded-stakes winning Dixie Union mare Reunited. He earned a 77 Beyer for his debut effort.

The race was won by third-time starter Capone by 2 1/4-lengths over Jester's Song, who was a neck better than Sidekick. The well-bred field included For Good [4th], a full sibling to 2017 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic; and Town Branch [7th], a full-brother to Speaker's Corner, who captured the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in April at the Big A.

McGaughey campaigned Code of Honor, by Noble Mission, through a record of 20-7-5-2 for purse earnings in excess of $2.9 million. The talented chestnut, who now stands at Lane’s End, was piloted by Velazquez to Grade 1 wins in 2019 in the Runhappy Travers at Saratoga and the Jockey Club Gold Cup – via disqualification - at Belmont. 

***

Brigadier General to pass on G1 Belmont; Flightline ready for G1 Met Mile

Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds said Friday morning that Brigadier General will not make the trip to New York for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. 

Finley said the Grade 3, $225,000 Matt Winn on June 12 at Churchill Downs or the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby on June 25 at Thistledown are likely spots for Brigadier General's next start before eyeing action at the Spa. 

“We’re going to pass on the Belmont,” Finley said. “Not by a longshot, but it’s just a touch too much for him right now. We’ll bring him to Saratoga this summer.”

Trained by Dallas Stewart, the son of Street Sense broke his maiden two starts back going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland before finishing fourth in a Churchill Downs allowance optional claimer at the same distance. 

West Point will still have representation on the graded stakes laden card with Flightline in the Grade 1, $1 million Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap. The speedy son of Tapit has won all three of his starts by a combined 37 1/2 lengths, most recently recording a 118 Beyer Speed Figure with an 11 1/2 length win in the Grade 1 Malibu on December 26 at Santa Anita. 

Flightline, trained by John Sadler, is owned by West Point in partnership with Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine and Woodford Racing. A competitive Met Mile field includes fellow Grade 1 winners Speaker’s Corner, who registered a 114 Beyer in the Grade 1 Carter, and last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Aloha West. 

“Mentally, we think he’s advanced quite a bit. He’s a lot more settled in his work and he’s such an exciting horse,” Finley said. “We hope everything stays on track. Obviously, those two horses will be the best horses he’s run against to date, so it’ll be a step up. We’ll see what happens on the racetrack. We got all our hopes riding on the big horse.”

***

Bell’s the One to skip G2 Bed o’ Roses

Trainer Neil Pessin said Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One will make her next start in Kentucky rather than point to the Grade 2, $300,000 Bed o' Roses, a seven-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares on Friday, June 10.

However, Pessin said the 6-year-old Majesticperfection bay is likely to visit Saratoga this summer with a possible title defense in the Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at six furlongs on July 27 or a start in the seven-furlong Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina on August 28 in play. The Ballerina offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in November at Keeneland.

“Bell is staying at Churchill for her next race,” Pessin said. “She will run in either the Honorable Miss or Ballerina after that.”

A possible spot for Bell’s the One could be the Grade 3 Chicago on June 25 at Churchill.

Bell’s the One captured the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap as the odds-on favorite in July at Saratoga Race Course.

"She gets better as she gets older. She's maturing and getting a little easier to train, but she still has her quirks," Pessin said. "She's pretty straightforward most of the time. She runs a good race most of the time and if not, it's usually my fault or the jock's fault - it's never her fault."

Bell's the One has posted a record of 24-11-5-2 with purse earnings in excess of $1.6 million. She made the grade in the 2019 Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland, and in 2020 added the Grade 3 Winning Colors and Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs to her ledger. Last year, in addition to the Honorable Miss, Bell's the One scored in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland.

Pessin credited the mare’s patented late kick for her impressive bankroll.

"She's got a quarter of a mile run, but it's a very fast quarter of a mile run. When you ask her, she can pick them up quick," Pessin said. "You have to be careful on her not to move too soon or too late. You have to time it pretty accurately, especially against good fillies. She's very competitive. Once she gets to them, she digs in and tries hard."

Bell’s the One has made two starts this campaign with regular rider Corey Lanerie up, finishing second on debut in the Grade 1 Madison and fourth last out in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff won by Bed o’ Roses contender Obligatory.

Pessin said he would shoulder the blame for the last-out effort.

"I may have misread her a little bit,” Pessin said. “She had a pretty tough race at Keeneland and the first week training after we went back to the track she was a little dull, but then she was really good the next two weeks and worked really well, so I thought she was sitting on go. But maybe that first race had taken a little more out of her than I thought. Corey made the right move on her, but she just flattened out a little bit which is unlike her."

Bell's the One worked a half-mile in 47.20 on May 28 over the Churchill Downs main track.

"She's doing really well. She'll work again Monday or Tuesday," Pessin said.