Hopeful of restarting the racing career of 2022 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve winner Rich Strike after time away for suspensory ligament issues, owner Rick Dawson posted on Facebook June 13 that the plan is to move the horse into the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott "in a few days."

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Dawson continued, "'Richie's' training will be stepped up slowly and forwardly over the next month or two. Should he continue to stay sound after more training is implemented, we will look for a first race that fits him coming back from over a year off the track."

Dawson did not specify whether Rich Strike would join Mott at Saratoga Race Course, his principal stabling location for many of his best horses, or with the trainer's satellite division in Kentucky.

Also Thursday, Dawson posted a video of famed equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage monitoring the colt jogging while visiting Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for a checkup. Accompanying the video, Dawson wrote that Rich Strike was given an ultrasound test, and "all is good." He added that Bramlage says, "He's looking great!!"

Asked by BloodHorse for further comment, Dawson texted he would provide an update after speaking with Mott, who has not yet trained Rich Strike to this point in his career.

Dawson did share a video of what he said was Rich Strike jogging and galloping June 14 at Margaux Farm. He commented, "Margaux is the reason Rich Strike has come this far and actually a chance to possibly race again."

Rich Strike, a now 5-year-old son of Keen Ice, is unraced since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes presented by Twinspires at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2023. Soon afterward, Dawson — who races as RED TR-Racing — and trainer Eric Reed, who saddled him to his 80-1 upset in the Derby a year earlier and trained him for the bulk of his career, parted ways in what initially stemmed from a dispute over film rights.

Mott was then announced by Dawson as Rich Strike's new trainer while the horse rehabbed at Margaux Farm.

Last fall, Dawson announced Rich Strike would be retired from racing to pursue a stallion career, citing nagging physical issues that persisted after a resumption of light training at Margaux Farm in central Kentucky. He was entered in the 2023 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale before being withdrawn.

Dawson then began implementing a recovery plan that would allow Rich Strike every chance to heal sufficiently and return to action. This year, the horse underwent stem cell treatment and, after a period of rest, resumed training at Margaux Farm.

The chestnut is 2-1-3 in 14 starts with earnings of more than $2.5 million. He initially raced for breeder Calumet Farm and trainer Joe Sharp before being claimed for $30,000 by Dawson and Reed from his second race, a 17 1/4-length maiden claiming win at Churchill Downs in September 2021.