'Seriously?' Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike skipping Preakness sparks mixed reactions

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will be sitting out of the 2022 Preakness Stakes, ending the possibility of a longshot emerging to claim horse racing's Triple Crown.

Suffice to say, Rich Strike owner Rick Dawson's announcement Thursday afternoon left those riding high off the horse's underdog victory in the 148th Run for the Roses a bit disappointed.

"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 in a statement. "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 five weeks."

Rich Strike: Kentucky Derby winner will skip Preakness, look toward Belmont

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At 80-1 odds, Rich Strike surged past favorite Epicenter and Zandon down the stretch at Churchill Downs in what was the second-biggest longshot victory in Kentucky Derby history.

Throw in the fact that the horse only made the Derby field because another participant scratched and the story of Reed nearly quitting the sport six years ago after a fire killed 23 horses at his Mercury Equine Center in Lexington, and it's easy to see why fans fell so hard for the improbable champion.

Despite Dawson's reassurance that Rich Strike is planning to run in the Belmont Stakes in June, many on Twitter were quick to point out taking the Triple Crown off the table will only dampen interest in the Preakness — set for May 21 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Others, however, applauded Rich Strike's connections for doing what they think is best for the horse.

Here's a look at more mixed reactions to the news on social media:

Twitter reacts to Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike sitting out of the 2022 Preakness Stakes

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With Rich Strike out, another story for fans to follow at the Preakness will be Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath trying to join Swiss Skydiver and Rachel Alexandra as fillies to win the second leg of the Triple Crown in the 21st Century.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Twitter reacts to 2022 Derby winner Rich Strike bypassing Preakness