(Rich Strike / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

RED-TR Racing’s Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner Rich Strike returned to the Churchill Downs work tab Saturday morning with a swift half-mile move in :47.20 in preparation for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI).

          The 80-1 upset winner of this year’s $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve breezed with rider Gabe Lagunes in the saddle through an opening quarter-mile fraction of :22.80 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.60.

          “Skipping the Preakness was still one of the toughest decisions I had to make as a trainer,” said Eric Reed, who stood alongside owner Rick Dawson for the work. “I just don’t think he would’ve been mentally ready to run against those horses again.”

          Reed originally reported Rich Strike would van to Belmont next week but will now keep the Derby winner in Barn 17 at Churchill until May 31. He’s tentatively scheduled to work again Monday, May 30.

          “He does so well here I just didn’t want to change anything yet,” Reed said. “He’ll get eight or nine days at Belmont to gallop and get used to the surface.”

          Jockey Sonny Leon, who rode Rich Strike to victory in the Derby, will have the return mount in the Belmont.

HERRFORTH WINS FIRST CAREER RACE FRIDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – Jockey Erica Herrforth, a 28-year-old Ohio-native, won her first career race with her first ever mount, Carry On, Friday at Churchill Downs.

          Herrforth, who gallops regularly for trainer Joe Sharp, was a graduate of the North American Racing Academy in Lexington, Ky. Prior to working for Sharp, Herrforth spent time galloping horses around the world, including a recent stint in Australia.

          Herrforth even spent time helping to groom Carry On, who’s trained by Sharp, for Friday’s race.

          “I couldn’t be more happy and proud of her,” Sharp said after the race.

          Sharp and Herrforth had a difficult last month after losing fellow rider Callie Witt in a riding accident at Keeneland.

          “Callie was an amazing individual and I was so proud of her,” Herrforth said following her passing. “I am grateful for the time that I got to work with her and got to know her. Just the other day we were jogging along and singing with each other. We joked about how bad we sounded but we didn’t care.”

          Following Herrforth’s victory, she was met at the Jockey Quarters with a large celebration from fellow riders and valets.

          Carry On returned $12.40 to win in the 1 1/16-mile $16,000 claiming event.

CHURCHILL DOWNS RACING TO AIR ON FOX SPORTS 2 – Churchill Downs racing will air on Fox Sports 2 this week as part of “America’s Day at the Races” produced by the New York Racing Association. Here is the TV schedule for the next two racing days:

          Saturday: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

          Sunday: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Derby City 6, that spanned races 7-11 Saturday, had a carryover of $24,944. … Trainer Norm Casse reported 14 ¼-length $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff (GIII) winner Super Quickwould now target the $350,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) at Churchill Downs on July 2. Super Quick earned a career best 106 Brisnet Speed Rating for her scintillating victory Friday at Pimlico. … For more information about the Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.