Union Rags turned in his final move at Palm Meadows
Phyllis M. Wyeth and Chadds Ford Stable 3-year-old sensation, Union Rags, at Palm Meadows Training Center turned in his first work since the Grade 1 Florida Derby, and his last at Palm Meadows.
The final move at Palm Meadows was on 12 April, 2012, where he recorded the second fastest work of 16 that day when he breezed four furlongs taking 48 2/5 seconds to do it.
Trained Michael Matz, Union Rags’ conditioner wasn’t present at the time his colt worked at Palm Meadows, thus not knowing how it went down, and the trainer reported that he hasn’t talked to the exercise rider Peter Brette, but he did mention that he heard from a third party that Union Rags went five furlongs in 1 minute and 1 second.
However, Michael Matz had information about Union Rags’ future plans, ah intends to send the Dixie Union Colt Keeneland on 14 April, 2012, and that is where his new training schedule will be revealed leading up to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on 5 May, 2012.
The Kentucky bred out of mare Tempo by Gone West, Union Rags is going into the Kentucky Derby off a defeat by the hands of Take Charge Indy in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on 31 March, 2012.
Union Rags finished third on the day, after a less than ideal trip falling 1 ¼ lengths adrift of the winner under jockey Julien Leparoux.
The loss in the Florida Derby shouldn’t be shot anyone’s confidence to the ground, who support Union Rags, because the bay colt has shown time and time again that he is the real deal, and one bad trip shouldn’t take all the hard work he has done and all the important races he has won away from him.
“It’s not going to change my opinion of the horse,” Matz said. “It’s the same as before he went in the Florida Derby as it is after the Florida Derby. He didn’t have the best trip; it is what it is. There’s not too much to make of it."
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