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Rich Strike Nearing Return, Pegasus Is Possible

GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice) is making progress since being sidelined since May with tendon problems and may make it back in time to compete in the Jan. 27 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, reports his owner Rick Dawson.

Rich Strike last raced on May 5 when a distant fifth in the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs. He was subsequently transferred from the barn of trainer Eric Reed to Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

“The bigger races we are pointing toward would include the Pegasus,” Dawson said. “That would be the first Grade I race we might go after, but he could race before that in a less-competitive race.”

Dawson said that shortly after the Alysheba, Rich Strike was sent to the Rood and Riddle clinic as a precautionary measure and it was then that it was discovered that he was suffering from problems with his tendons in both front legs.

“He's rehabbing from some issues he had with his front tendons, left front and right front,” Dawson said. “Both have recovered extremely well. Dr. Bramlage at Rood and Riddle did all the work. He's had ultrasounds, X-rays, etc. and he is doing really well. At times, his front suspensory tendons would get inflamed and get slightly damaged. They never tore but scar tissue built up in both legs. There was scar tissue where tendon fibers should have been. Through his treatment and exercise, certain feed, etc., that scar tissue started to reverse itself. It's been a long process but, basically, the tendons were able to get back to normal. We are very fortunate that he did not tear a tendon while training or running. I'm extremely happy that this was caught back in May.”

Rich Strike is currently under light training at Margaux Farm in Midway, Kentucky.

“He is jogging one day, galloping the next,” Dawson said. “We'll be there for another few weeks and at that point Bill Mott and I will discuss where we go from there. Due to his lengthy rehab and our choice to be very conservative and take our time with him so he could get back on track and so that we can give him every opportunity to come back at his best, we are looking at sometime in November for him to begin more serious training with Bill. Maybe we can catch a race in late December.”

It's been a rough go for Rich Strike since he won the 2022 Derby. He's gone 0-for-6 since and in his last two starts, the Alysheba and the GI Clark S., he was beaten a combined 25 lengths. But Dawson remains hopeful that Rich Strike can get back to the form that carried him to a shocking win in the Derby at odds of 80-1.

“We won't know more until we get him back in real training,” he said. “I'll trust Bill to inform me so far as where his skill level is. If he can return to that skill level he showed when winning the Derby, that would be fantastic. We'll see how he does and let him tell us what is next. If he can continue to run at a high level, we will continue to race him. If not, he'll retire and go to the breeding shed.”

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Letter to the Editor: Radiographs

As we approach the beginning of the Thoroughbred yearling sales season, it is worth reflecting on the process used by buyers to select their racing and sales prospects. Part of the process includes veterinary scrutiny of the radiographs of yearling's' joints. Veterinarians review the radiographs, note any abnormal findings, and then are called upon to assign a level of risk for racing and / or resale that the findings may represent. Another layer of due diligence in recent years has been ultrasound examination of horses' limbs for soft tissue abnormalities, in this case the suspensory branches relative to any sesamoid changes seen in the X-rays. The veterinary opinions are often based upon personal experience, because there is little research to help understand the findings. This has historically resulted in a wide range of opinions on radiographic findings, confusion in the marketplace, and often an unfair and overcritical evaluation of racing and sales prospects.

In an attempt to address the lack of important data and the resulting negative consequences to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, several studies have recently been completed looking at stifle and sesamoid radiographs as well as suspensory branch ultrasound findings in sales horses. Initiated by clinician scientists at the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, these studies started with evaluation of the radiographs of 2,508 yearlings and suspensory branch ultrasound exams of 593 yearlings at the 2016 Keeneland September Sale. The next step was to evaluate any horses from the initial group that went to the 2017 2-year-olds in training sales to study the progression or regression of the findings. The final portion of the research was to study racing outcomes through the end of the horses' 4-year-old racing season to see what effect the radiographic and ultrasonographic findings had on their performance as racehorses.

The results of the studies are encouraging, demonstrating that the presence of certain findings does not necessarily have a negative effect on suitability for racing. Another element of these studies that can benefit industry stakeholders is a recommendation to use consistent descriptions of the findings, creating uniformity in messaging of the findings and thereby helping veterinarians communicate accurate risk assessments to their clients.

The importance of this research to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding community cannot be underestimated, and there will be a significant effort to ensure that the information is accessible to everyone. One such offering will be a presentation of the research findings at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds, the afternoon prior to the start of the July Sale on Sunday, July 9, at 4:30 p.m. Drs. Wayne McIlwraith and Chris Kawcak will present a summary of the sesamoid and stifle findings, followed by a moderated panel discussion with sales veterinarians and a Q&A session. All stakeholders in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry are encouraged to attend.

—Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Dr. Christopher Kawcak and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith

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TERF Named TAKE2 August Donor of the Month

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF), an offshoot of Thoroughbred Charities of America established to provide focused funding for equine education and research, has provided funding to the tune of $4,000 for an aftercare education program and for its generosity, has been recognized as 'TAKE2 Donor of the Month' for August.

TAKE2 set a goal of raising $10,000 a month for 10 months in honor of its milestone 10th anniversary this year. With the generous help of previous 'Donors of the Month' Len Green and the Green Group, TAKE2 competitor Patricia Hurter, Empire Racing Club's Kyle Emmich, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and Michael Sternklar of Clear Stars Stable, the campaign is on track to meet its goal. More than $55,000 has been raised over the first 5 1/2 months of the year.

“We like to fund pilot studies by young researchers,” said Dr. Kathy Anderson, co-chair of TERF's board of trustees. “We want to support projects that are small enough that they fly under the radar of large funding agencies.”

The Labor Day event at Saratoga will feature TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore; TAKE2 President Rick Schosberg; and Dr. Keith Bogatch, an equine veterinarian who will speak to participants about the relationship between Thoroughbred owners and veterinarians and about how to decide when it's time to retire a racehorse. Also scheduled to speak are Monique Coston from Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue; and Deanna Mancuso from Lucky Orphans.

Held at the Spa Verandas, located at the top of the stretch, the event will include a day at the races from a trackside seat; a light lunch; and the aftercare presentation. Tickets are $25.

For additional information or to RSVP, contact Andy Belfiore at take2breds@gmail.com. Tickets are limited and the deadline to RSVP is Friday, Aug. 26.

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