Union Rags claims The Champagne Stakes at the Belmont Park on 8th October
It was Union Rags’s big day on 8th October at the Belmont Park where he won the Champagne Stakes Grade 1 and ended conjuring up $300,000. The event was able to attract eight two-year-olds. Last year’s winner for the same title stood out to be
Uncle Mo.
The line-up had Kiaran McLaughlin’s Alpha, Eoin Harty’s Right To Vote, Richard Dutrow’s Takes The Gold, John C Kimmel’s Invocation, Tim Ice’s No Spin, Neil J Howard’s Power World and to end the candidates, there was Dallas Stewart’s Laurie’s Rocket.
Union Rags, with J J Castellano, started off the race being fifth in position, pushed along over 3 ½ furlong out and was fifth on heels of leaders over two furlong with no clear passage to move ahead.
This prevailed while he ran on inside 1 ½ furlong out, then switching outside and quickening to lead inside the final furlong.
He soon found more clear track after which he crossed the wire, winning the race impressively and leaving the runner-up behind by 5 ¼ lengths.
"He's always acted like a nice horse from when we first got him," said Matz after his first win in the Champagne. "He's trained well this period he's been off. The timing is great now. The seven weeks didn't hurt him between races”.
"My plan 'A' was to be close to the pace," Castellano said. "He's a really nice horse, and you can put him wherever you want. Unfortunately, in the first jump (Right to Vote) squeezed me. He bumped really hard, and I lost the momentum right there. Now I
had to change my plan to 'B' come from behind horses”.
Kiaran McLaughlin trained Alpha was second in line to finish the race behind the unbeatable Union Rag.
Alpha held up in rear, was caught flat footed three furlong out, ranked sixth and was ridden nearing final two furlong, moved outside 1 ½ furlong out, stayed on well in the final furlong, took the second position when was close home but was never able to
threaten the winner throughout the race.
The third position holder in the race was Eoin Harty trained Right To Vote who was onboard A Solis.
This victory has exposed Union Rags for further lucrative racing opportunities for which he is already in the favourite zone due to this recent win.
His odds for winning the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that is scheduled in November have already gone high and his competitors for the race will have to see how well they prepare for the put forth challenge in winters.
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