Reed hopes for good showing from Rich Strike in G1 Runhappy Travers

Trainer Eric Reed will be starting his first runner in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, sending out RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike for his run at another top level victory after shocking the world with his 80-1 rail-skimming victory in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby this May.

“Who would have ever thought I’d be in the Travers? Not me,” Reed said, with a laugh. “I’m glad to be here and I hope ‘Richie’ runs his normal race, because win, lose or draw, everybody will respect him.”

Rich Strike made his final preparations on Friday morning over Saratoga’s main track.

“He’s doing really good,” Reed said. “Today was his last day on the track and he was real happy, bucking and playing on the way back. We just galloped him a mile and a quarter, and for him, that’s a real light day. He’s ready. He just has to keep his composure tomorrow and he’ll try to do the impossible again.”

Normally, the winner of the “Run for the Roses” would be at the forefront of the conversation in any race, but Rich Strike faces the unusual scenario of flying somewhat under the radar in a loaded Runhappy Travers field that includes formidable Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter and Grade 1 Haskell Invitational winner Cyberknife.

The betting public has turned their attention elsewhere after Rich Strike, 10-1 on the morning line for the Runhappy Travers, ran a disappointing sixth-of-8 in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets in June. There, he stayed to the outside of rivals instead of an inside trip like the Kentucky Derby and never threatened.