Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike aims to strike again in Belmont

Wealthy Strike will attempt to again up his gorgeous upset victory within the Kentucky Derby when he returns to the monitor within the 154th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

We the Folks, saddled by French-born coach Rodolphe Brisset, was put in because the early favourite for the 1 1/2-mile race at Belmont Park in New York.

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Considered one of two colts within the eight-horse discipline that did not begin both the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes, We the Folks was priced at 2-1 after drawing the No. 1 put up.

Brisset mentioned the within put up isn’t any concern on the sweeping Belmont monitor referred to as “Large Sandy,” the place US-based French jockey Flavien Prat can have loads of room to seek out place.

“He does not need to (go to the entrance),” Brisset mentioned. “You have to play the break from there. Flavien is aware of what to do.”

Brisset acknowledged it was “all the time a query mark” as as to if a horse will get the 1 1/2-mile distance, however Wealthy Strike’s connections have been assured their longshot Kentucky Derby winner would don’t have any drawback there.

Wealthy Strike shocked at Churchill Downs final month powering from the again of the 20-horse discipline to win at odds of 80-1.

Whereas Wealthy Strike, with a masterful experience from jockey Sonny Leon, benefitted from the quick early tempo within the Kentucky Derby, coach Eric Reed acknowledged he’ll seemingly not be capable of sit up to now off the tempo on Saturday.

Nevertheless, he mentioned the way in which the colt had been coaching he did not count on that to be an issue.

“I am not sure of how he’ll need to run as a result of he is a lot extra aggressive than he is been earlier than,” Reed mentioned. “I am simply going to inform Sonny to remain out of his approach.

“I simply do not know that he will be that far again simply by the way in which he is coaching, not to mention the tempo of the race.

“I would not be stunned to see him actual near the tempo if the horse chooses to do it. If the horse comes out of there operating, we’re not going to get in his approach.”

After drawing the fourth put up, Wealthy Strike was made the third early alternative at 7-2.

Wooden Memorial winner Mo Donegal, fifth within the Kentucky Derby for coach Todd Pletcher, was put in because the second alternative at 5-2.

Pletcher has saddled three Belmont winners: Tapwrit in 2017, Palace Malice in 2013 and Rags to Riches in 2007.

Pletcher additionally has a filly within the race — Nest, runner-up to Secret Oath within the Kentucky Oaks.

“Each have educated tremendous,” Pletcher mentioned, including that the mile and a half distance would possibly go well with Mo Donegal.

“He’s a horse positively from the very starting confirmed us he wished to go longer,” Pletcher mentioned.

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