Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike won't run Preakness

Kentucky Derby long shot winner Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness Stakes May 21.

Owner Rick Dawson said in a statement: «Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome & the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time & rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with 5 or 6 weeks rest between races.»

Rich Strike entered the Derby as an 80-1 long shot. With 4-1 favorite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby's 148-year history.

The chestnut colt beat Epicenter by three-quarters of a length. Zandon finished another three-quarters of a length back in third.

Rich Strike paid $163.60. Only Donerail in 1913 had a higher payout, at $184.90.

Rich Strike was purchased by Dawson, who races as RED TR-Racing LLC, for $30,000 last fall when the colt was entered in a low-level claiming race by his former owner.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.