After a nice break, Michael Matz is slowly starting to train Union Rags
back into form. Considered the top
Kentucky Derby contender by many, Union Rags went an easy short 3 furlongs. In
a candid interview with Bloodhorse, Matz compared the colt to legendary Barbaro
and even said Union Rags has a better temperament// Take Charge Indy, a horse
with more buzz than accomplishment at this point, also posted a 5 furlong
breeze// Another story on the filly On Fire Baby pointing for Monday’s Smarty
Jones Stakes at Oaklawn. Gary
Hartlage says she’s the best horse he’s ever trained// Another filly, Essence
of Bubbles, already beat boys today at Gulfstream in an optional claimer// Despite
losing Derby hope O’Prado Again to injury (he’ll be back for the summer), Dale
Romans comments on other contenders from his barn// The Lecomte (G3) at the
Fair Grounds January 21 is next 3-year-old graded stakes on the calendar. Brisnet offers an early read on
probables. Those and entries for Saturday’s
Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the California Derby at Golden Gate below…
Articles:
Union Rags workout articles: DRF
Bloodhorse
TTimes
Matz
ready for another Derby run (Bloodhorse Blog)
Lecomte
field coming together (Brisnet)
Will
Hansen overcome his front running style? (Graded Stakes Blog)
Hansen
(man) had shrinking feeling that Hansen (horse) would win (Courier Journal
Blog)
On
Fire Baby to tackle males at Oaklawn (Bloodhorse)
Lecomte Stakes (G3)
Probables: Shared Property, Seven Lively Sins, Mr. Bowling, Ted’s Folly,
Capetown Devil, El Padrino, Laurie’s Rocket, Hammers Terror, Tetradrachm, Z Dager, Gowhereyougaze and possibly
Exfactor
Entries:
Pasco S.- Tampa Bay Downs- entries
California Derby- Golden Gate Fields- entries
Works:
Union Rags PMM- 3F- 38:35-
B- 5/6
Take Charge Indy PMM- 5F-
1.03:09- B- 3/8
Empire Way HOL- 5F- 1.02:20-
H- 19/25
Night Tide SA- 5F-
1.01:80- H- 21/27
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
Never had so little separating the top 12
in Derby Dozen. What a deep bunch. Now have to hope no one new excels in next
couple of week- Steve Haskin- Steve Haskin
via Twitter
Out of Bounds looking and feeling great today
at Hollywood Park. Next stop San Felipe @santaanitapark March 10th!!- Kent Sweezey via Twitter
