Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike not running at Preakness Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not run in the 2022 Preakness Stakes in order to focus on the Belmont Stakes, his owner Rick Dawson announced Thursday.

Dawson pointed to recovery time following the Kentucky Derby as a factor in Rich Strike skipping the May 21 event:

"Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby, it's very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group," read a statement from Dawson.

"However, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed, and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what's best for Ritchie is what's best for our group and pass on running in the Preakness and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks."

Rich Strike won last weekend's Kentucky Derby in stunning fashion with an impressive charge in the final moments. The horse became the second-biggest underdog to win the Kentucky Derby after entering the race with 80-1 odds.