Union Rags turned out for some light training ahead of a busy 2012 season
The 2-year-old Michael R. Matz trained colt, Union Rags, has had an impressive debut season, winning 3 races out of 4 starts, and the one he lost was the most important one of the season, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, where he got came agonizingly
close to winning it but got nosed out by the rampant Hansen in the 1 1/16 mile races.
With a lot to look forward for Union Rags in his sophomore season in 2012 which includes a trip to Churchill Downs in May to participate in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, Union Rags, is given a well deserved rest before he goes out again for racing.
The Kentucky bred son of Dixie Union, out of mare Tempo by Gone West, Union Rags turned out at a Wellington, Fla. farm right after his narrow loss in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on 5 November, 2011, for some light training after a short break.
“He’s got a terrific disposition. He’s a real smart horse,” said Michael Matz, who trains Union Rags for Phyllis M. Wyeth and Chadds Ford Stable. “I had him in the paddock where he’s away from other horses. He was a little restless in the paddock, so we
put him in a paddock right by the side of where the horses go to train. He loved it. He watched them all go by, and he just loved it.”
Union Rags impressed everyone after breaking his maiden in his first attempt at Del Mar on 12 July, 2011, at about 5 furlongs which he covered in 58.25 seconds.
Gradually increased in distance, Union Rags, was then pointed toward the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at about six and a half furlongs on 15 August, 2011.
The colt did not disappoint as he went on to defeat Stat and Indian Evening, who finished second and third, respectively, while Union Rags covered the distance in 1 minute and 18.33 seconds.
Third race one a different venue, Union Rags tried his luck to go 3 up in as many starts in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park , and easily topped a mile there in 1 minute and 35.55 seconds to win the race.
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