Jerry Dixon Jr., the famed groom of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Wealthy Strike throughout the 2022 Triple Crown season, has taken the subsequent step in his profession as a coach.
“It is a dream come true,” Dixon mentioned. “After Wealthy Strike gained the Derby, that was my inspiration to exit and begin coaching for myself. Sooner or later I awakened within the morning and thought, ‘ what, I feel at the moment is the day.'”
After leaving the Eric Reed workforce following Wealthy Strike’s run within the Belmont Stakes (G1), Dixon had been working full-time for a wide range of trainers at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now as a coach, Dixon and his fiancé, Brittany Pierce, handle a three-horse steady on the observe and hope to obtain stalls at Turfway Park this winter.
“I am taking this transition in the future at a time,” Dixon mentioned. “It nonetheless seems like yesterday the place I am working for different folks. Now it is a greater feeling that I am working for myself. I get to make the choice of the place the horses go, the place they belong, how they practice. I am wanting ahead to doubtlessly getting extra homeowners and higher horses, however all people has to begin someplace.”
Dixon has saddled three starters since his coaching debut Aug. 22, however the fourth begin would be the greatest but. On Sept. 12, Dixon returns to the location of his best victory with Moonstrike , a 4-year-old colt owned by Pierce and Marie Orihood, within the fourth race for $20,000 claimers on the opening night time of Churchill Downs‘ September meet.
“I really like him within the spot that he is in,” Dixon mentioned. “He has an enormous coronary heart, he is very aggressive, I feel we might really shock everybody.”
Stunning everybody at Churchill Downs is nothing new to Dixon. Not solely was Wealthy Strike the second-biggest longshot to win the Derby at odds of 80-1, however he additionally drew into the race off the also-eligible checklist a couple of minutes earlier than his Friday morning scratch deadline.
Dixon recalled how nervous he felt realizing he had a horse within the Derby that morning and the quietness of Wealthy Strike that rapidly become the hearth that led the Eager Ice colt to victory.
Jerry Dixon Jr. leads Wealthy Strike across the Winner’s Circle after successful the Kentucky Derby
“As soon as it was nearer to race time, he made this loopy sound,” Dixon recalled. “Squealing, reared up within the air, he knew it was race time.”
Dixon described the walkover from the bottom to the paddock as a dream.
“I do not keep in mind strolling, it felt like we have been gliding,” Dixon mentioned. “To see him cross the end line, I nonetheless cry after I watch the replay. To be round a horse like that and see him run his finest race, could not ask for something higher.”
It did not take lengthy for Dixon to develop into a star amongst racing and sports activities followers who have been left in awe by the monumental upset as soon as they noticed his emotional celebration and admiration for the Derby winner. Nonetheless, the particular bond the 2 shared was not instant from the beginning.
“To start with we by no means received alongside,” Dixon mentioned. “Richie goes to do no matter Richie wished to do. You needed to give him leeway to see if he’ll come again to you.
“As soon as I used to be round him on the farm lengthy sufficient working with him one-on-one, hands-on, I received to be taught that he is actually a pushy horse however in the event you speak to him and present him some consideration, he’ll allow you to do no matter.”
Now, Dixon returns to the location of his best second within the sport, and an vital place for the Dixon household. A fourth-generation horseman, Dixon’s grandfather and uncle introduced their sons and nephews to Churchill Downs, an expertise Dixon first acquired across the age of 8. On the time, Dixon could not stand the odor of the bottom and by no means envisioned a profession within the business. As he received older, his appreciation and keenness for the horses made him notice he wished to remain within the household enterprise.
“(Successful at Churchill Downs) will let me know that I’ve lastly arrived, that I am on the scene,” Dixon mentioned. “Let me know all of the onerous work paid off getting there. I really feel blessed and privileged to be working at Churchill, that place is close to and expensive to my coronary heart.”