Rick Dawson, owner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner rich attack as RED TR-Racing, filed a lawsuit claiming damages to the relationships of multiple millionaires Charlie’s Hot Stick based on an allegation that the second horse illegally grabbed his toe while hitting Rich Strike on October 22 Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson Circuit Court and signed by attorney Benjamin L. Carter, seeks differences in first and second place amounts, $206,320, and damages for “impact to composite value of Rich Strike.”
The complaint, first reported by Horse Racing Nation, is based on the legal theory that the defendants caused “deliberate interference with valid expectation” when “Hot Rod Charlie—not Rich Strike—” wins… Lukas Classic Stakes by inches because of traction,” allegedly on Hot Rod Charlie’s front shoe. Dawson also seeks punitive damages.
The Kentucky Equestrian Commission or the Equestrian Integrity and Safety Authority took no action after KHRC chief manager Barbara Borden reported sufficient evidence that Hot Rod Charlie raced in compliance. HISA rules. A subsequent decision by HISA agreed with those findings.
The lawsuit names Hot Rod Charlie’s coach, Doug O’Neill, as a defendant along with the owners of horse racing, Roadrunner Racing 2018, Boat Racing, Strauss Brothers Racing and Purebred Gainesway. This winter, the Taurus The horse has come to stud at Shadai Ranch in Japan.
O’Neill denied Hot Rod Charlie raced on toe, telling BloodHorse last month, “We steered him the way we had to.”
