Long shot Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will skip Preakness, owners focus on Belmont

Long shot Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will sit out the Preakness Stakes later this month, taking the horse out of the running this year for the Triple Crown.

The owner of the horse, Rich Dawson, said Thursday the thoroughbred will not compete in the June 21 race at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, and instead prepared for next month's Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. 

"Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby, it’s very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group," Dawson said. "However, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed, and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what’s best for Ritchie is what’s best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately 5 weeks." 

Rich Strike sped to victory Saturday after entering the derby with 80-1 odds.