John Velazquez to replace Julien Leparoux over Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes
Trainer Michael Matz decided to make a change heading for the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on 9 June, 2012, and decided to switch the pilot on his ace 3-year-old runner, Union Rags, after back to back defeats.
Jockey John Velazquez will be Julien Leparoux’s replacement, as Julien has ridden Union Rags in three consecutive starts, and together they have won the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on 26 February, 2012.
The pair defeated News Pending in second and Discreet Dancer in third, going over a distance of 1 1/16 miles.
Most recently, Leparoux and Union Rags haven’t been coming out good for trainer Michael Matz, as they finished third in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at about 1 1/8 miles over the Gulfstream Park’s dirt track, and seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, finishing
seven and a half lengths adrift of winner, I’ll Have Another.
The son of Dixie Union is among the challengers to spoil I’ll Have Another’s bid to win the Triple Crown in the “Test of the Champion” and stop him from becoming the 12th runner to achieve that feat.
“Julian was good with the horse…but he got in trouble in the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby and I don’t think the horse really had a chance to run,” said Matz, who conditions Union Rags for owner/breeder Phyllis Wyeth. “Whether it was the horse, the
jockey, or the trainer, I don’t know, but we decided to make a change.”
Currently stabled at Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland, Matz said that John Velazquez will suit Union Rags more, and Velazquez is already a leading jockey in New York – which is a useful thing going for one of the biggest race at Belmont Park.
Velazquez has never ridden Union Rags before, and this week, the rider will have his opportunity to ride Union Rags when the two will work together ahead of the Belmont Stakes.
As a juvenile, Union Rags was ridden by Javier Castellano for three consecutive starts like Julien Leparoux, as Matz would hope the change brings home the Belmont Stakes.
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