Rich Strike’s Owner Sues Hot Rod Charlie for Damages

The owner of Rich Strike is suing the owners and trainer of Hot Rod Charlie to recoup alleged losses in purse winnings and horse value.

Rick Dawson, the owner of Rich Strike, claims that Hot Rod Charlie was wearing illegal toe grabs when it won the Oct. 1, 2022, Grade 2 Lukas Classic by a head over Rich Strike. Subsequent investigations by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney — on behalf of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) — determined that Hot Rod Charlie was shod legally. HISA unanimously accepted the recommendations from the law firm and dismissed the claim.

In his lawsuit against Hot Rod Charlie’s owners and trainer, Dawson seeks $206,320 in purse money, the value of the race trophy and the “impact of Rich Strike’s syndicate value.” Hot Rod Charlie’s owners are Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Greg Helm’s Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Strauss Brothers Racing. The horse’s trainer is Doug O’Neill. Dawson told Horse Racing Nation that he doesn’t intend to seek damages against KHRC or HISA.

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North American Racing Fatalities Reach an All-Time Low

Racehorse fatalities are at historic lows, according to an annual analysis of data from more than 100 tracks in the United States and Canada.

The fatality rates are at all-time lows for 3-year-old horses, for races longer than 8 furlongs, and across all surface types, reports The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database (EID).

“The…