Unions Rags to take on a whole bunch on ace runners in the Grade 1 Florida Derby
Union Rags, after his brilliant performance in his seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park’s dirt course on 26 February, 2012, over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, where he downed the likes of News Pending in second and Discreet
Dancer in third. The champion colt is now pointed toward the Grade 1 Florida Derby over the same track.
There is a serious lineup lining up to challenge the Michael Matz trained colt in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, which will be run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt on 31 March, 2012, at Gulfstream Park, restricted for 3-year-old colts.
El Padrino will be looking to add to his graded stakes earnings before the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, and more importantly show the racing world that his impressive win in the Grade 2 Risen Star, wasn’t a fluke, and the he can compete against Kentucky Derby
probable’s on even ground.
Take Charge Indy, whose connections weren’t interested in sending the 3-year-old colt to Oaklawn Park to participate in the Tampa Bay Derby, will be looking to keep their colt at Gulfstream Park and start in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
The winner of the Grade 3 Withers Stakes, Alpha, and the winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, Currency Swap are expected to start in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
The runner-up of the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes behind Union Rags, News Pending will be looking to plot revenge against the winner in the Florida Derby, as the solid second place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby, Golden Ticket will be trying his luck
in the Gulfstream Park’s main event.
Todd Pletcher, who trained El Padrino saddled the colt to two back to back victories including the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, but more importantly won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in the previous race.
Our horse has already won over the track, and it’s a Grade 1. With his pedigree a victory would add significant value as a stallion prospect,” Pletcher explained. “Running in the Florida Derby also takes shipping out of the equation, and if he were to continue
on the Derby trail it allows us to stay in south Florida as long as we want to train. I know the toughest 3-year-old around” – Union Rags – “is right here, but in a case like this, it’s more a matter of managing our horse and not worrying about any others.”
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