2006 was a horrible year for Michael Matz. Last year's Belmont was disaster for John Velazquez when Animal Kingdom had a horrible break in the Belmont. Union Rags was getting horrible rides by first Javiar Castellano and then Julien Leparoux. All three where out for redemption in this year's Belmont.
All three got it. As Velazquez and Union Rags where able to sneak through the rail to get the Belmont over Paynter with Atigun in third. Phyliss Wyeth the daughter in law to the great painter Andrew Wyeth is the winning owner.
With that the 2012 Triple Crown is over. It's going to be a what if, what if I'll Have Another had been healthy. I think we would have been looking at our 12th Triple Crown winner and not the 12th horse since Affirmed to failed to get it done. Normally I'm glad when the TC is over because it's 5 stressful weeks. However, this year is different. Maybe it's because for the first time since 2007, I'm okay with the winners (horse and jockey wise). It's going to be a fun summer and I can't wait for the Haskell (with fingers crossed I will be attending for the first time).
A few other thoroughts:
* NBC is getting alot of flak today for their coverage today. To excent I agree, they had to drop a good portion of it due to I'll Have Another being scratched, but come on now. Ryan Seacrest interviewing Michael Phelps was the best you could do? (even though MP is from Maryland and Bob Bowman his coach has horses).
*Ahmed Zayat is offically the unluckiest owner in racing when it comes to the Triple Crown. 2nd in 09 Derby, 2nd in the 11 Derby, 2nd in the 12 Derby, 2nd in the 12 Preakness and now 2nd in the 12 Belmont.
* Once again just because you are training well doesn't mean you'll run well *cough Dullahan cough*.
* Paynter and Bode can now swap stories about tough beats.
* Johnny V must love riding horses with the word Rags in their names, first with the great filly Rags to Riches and now today with Union.
* Union is the 3rd Delaware Park maiden breaker at 2 to win the Belmont at 3 (Afleet Alex and Ruler on Ice being the other 2)
I'm going to take a few days off to recover from the Triple Crown, but I'll be back next week lots of goodies including a very exciting Pedigree Look at Pierro (Australia's Triple Crown winner).
Showing posts with label Union Rags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union Rags. Show all posts
June 9, 2012
April 2, 2012
Derby Top 15 4/2
It's been a while since I did one, with the FL Derby and the UAE Derby are over, it's a good time to look at my Top 15.
1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway): The #1 3yo in the US right now. He'll be facing a few horses he's already beaten in next week's SA Derby.
2. Alpha (Bernardini): 2 for 2 at Aqueduct this year so far, he'll try to make it three for three in his Wood start next week.
3. Gemologist (Tiznow): Many where concerned that him starting in an allowance race over a stakes race would hurt him. Turned out to be wrong, he goes in the Wood next.
4. Dullahan (Even the Score): He did pop a splint, but it sounds like that Mine That Bird's brother will be ready for his next race. That will be a rematch between him and Howe Great in the Bluegrass.
5. Daddy Long Legs (Scat Daddy): He won the UAE Derby very impressively. While his one start on dirt wasn't anything to write about, that was as a 2yo. If Aiden O'Brien does bring him over from Ireland, he'll have run the farthest distance in a prep at a mile and 3/16 (the distance of the UAE Derby).
6. Hansen (Tapit): Waiting one more week for the Bluegrass instead of the Wood next week is a good move. You don't want to be too fresh for the Derby. Plus he's undefeated on synthetics.
7. Union Rags (Dixie Union): I will always like this colt, but his Derby chances took a serious hit after a disapointing, but closing third in the FL Derby. He did have to get a shoe replaced which might have cost him. Also the winner went gate to wire. He's starting to remind me a bit Street Sense and his leadup to Churchill. Julien Leparoux went onto Twitter Saturday to defend himself on his ride. Lets hope that he can back up that defending.
8. I'll Have Another (Flower Alley): Won the Lewis in his last race, he'll be facing Creative Cause, Liason and others in the SA Derby.
9. Daddy Nose Best (Scat Daddy): The last time a horse came out of Sunland to win the Derby, it was the second biggest upset of all time in the race. The Sunland Derby winner is my dark horse and it will be interesting if a hot pace sets it up for him again.
10. Optimizer (English Channel): Sure his pedigree says turf, but he gave Secret Circle fits in the Rebel. I would not be suprised if he can turn the tables should Gemologist or Bodemeister faulter.
11. Bodemeister (Empire Maker): Poor Juddmonte, their former sire has the Oaks favorite in Grace Hall and possibly one of the AR Derby favorites in him. He gave Creative Cause a dogfight in the San Felipe.
12. Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy): He's new to this list, but his trainer and jockey are no strangers to the spotlight. Pat Byrne trained both Countass Diana and Favorite Trick to 2yo Championships, the latter was the first 2yo since Secretariat to win Horse of the Year. Calvin "Bo-Rail/Boo" Borel has won the Derby 3 times (Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Super Saver), and of course was the regular rider for Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Take Charge Indy went gate to wire to win Saturday's FL Derby. Now the question is what will Pat's wife Jill who works for Churchill does (each year she does videos for both the Derby and Oaks websites, but my guess is they will have to hire someone to do Derby to avoid conflict of interest).
13. Midnight Transfer (Hard Spun): Two turn debut was good. However, he will be getting a new jockey for the SA Derby. Although he's not that bad himself (Mike Smith).
14. Mark Valeski (Proud Citizen): Yes he got upset hugely by Hero of Honor, but he was grinding out and almost caught the winner. However, considering the LA Derby winner's record is lousy in the KY Derby, maybe it's a good thing he lost. Also he threw a shoe and was lame after the race. Not sure if that's because he threw the shoe, or he gave so much to grind out for a win that didn't happen. Either way, hopefully he's okay.
15. Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones): Almost got it done in the Sunland Derby. While he's best runs have come in New Mexico, he did finish fourth behind #8 in the Lewis. He is now the horse on the bubble, and I heard that he would get 1 more start
Notable absent
Reveron (Songandaprayer): The FL Derby runner up has yet to run outside of Florida.
Hero of Order (Sharp Humor): The shocking upset winner of the LA Derby is the biggest since Rockamundo (with Mr. Upset himself Calvin Borel in the irons) won the Arkansas Derby. He's not TC nominated and will need a ton of help in getting into the Derby because of it.
Howe Great (Hat Trick (JPN)): He's prob. better on turf and sythetic then he is on dirt. With that said, he has a win on dirt, and defeated #4 in his last race. The Bluegrass is coming up very tough.
1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway): The #1 3yo in the US right now. He'll be facing a few horses he's already beaten in next week's SA Derby.
2. Alpha (Bernardini): 2 for 2 at Aqueduct this year so far, he'll try to make it three for three in his Wood start next week.
3. Gemologist (Tiznow): Many where concerned that him starting in an allowance race over a stakes race would hurt him. Turned out to be wrong, he goes in the Wood next.
4. Dullahan (Even the Score): He did pop a splint, but it sounds like that Mine That Bird's brother will be ready for his next race. That will be a rematch between him and Howe Great in the Bluegrass.
5. Daddy Long Legs (Scat Daddy): He won the UAE Derby very impressively. While his one start on dirt wasn't anything to write about, that was as a 2yo. If Aiden O'Brien does bring him over from Ireland, he'll have run the farthest distance in a prep at a mile and 3/16 (the distance of the UAE Derby).
6. Hansen (Tapit): Waiting one more week for the Bluegrass instead of the Wood next week is a good move. You don't want to be too fresh for the Derby. Plus he's undefeated on synthetics.
7. Union Rags (Dixie Union): I will always like this colt, but his Derby chances took a serious hit after a disapointing, but closing third in the FL Derby. He did have to get a shoe replaced which might have cost him. Also the winner went gate to wire. He's starting to remind me a bit Street Sense and his leadup to Churchill. Julien Leparoux went onto Twitter Saturday to defend himself on his ride. Lets hope that he can back up that defending.
8. I'll Have Another (Flower Alley): Won the Lewis in his last race, he'll be facing Creative Cause, Liason and others in the SA Derby.
9. Daddy Nose Best (Scat Daddy): The last time a horse came out of Sunland to win the Derby, it was the second biggest upset of all time in the race. The Sunland Derby winner is my dark horse and it will be interesting if a hot pace sets it up for him again.
10. Optimizer (English Channel): Sure his pedigree says turf, but he gave Secret Circle fits in the Rebel. I would not be suprised if he can turn the tables should Gemologist or Bodemeister faulter.
11. Bodemeister (Empire Maker): Poor Juddmonte, their former sire has the Oaks favorite in Grace Hall and possibly one of the AR Derby favorites in him. He gave Creative Cause a dogfight in the San Felipe.
12. Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy): He's new to this list, but his trainer and jockey are no strangers to the spotlight. Pat Byrne trained both Countass Diana and Favorite Trick to 2yo Championships, the latter was the first 2yo since Secretariat to win Horse of the Year. Calvin "Bo-Rail/Boo" Borel has won the Derby 3 times (Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Super Saver), and of course was the regular rider for Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Take Charge Indy went gate to wire to win Saturday's FL Derby. Now the question is what will Pat's wife Jill who works for Churchill does (each year she does videos for both the Derby and Oaks websites, but my guess is they will have to hire someone to do Derby to avoid conflict of interest).
13. Midnight Transfer (Hard Spun): Two turn debut was good. However, he will be getting a new jockey for the SA Derby. Although he's not that bad himself (Mike Smith).
14. Mark Valeski (Proud Citizen): Yes he got upset hugely by Hero of Honor, but he was grinding out and almost caught the winner. However, considering the LA Derby winner's record is lousy in the KY Derby, maybe it's a good thing he lost. Also he threw a shoe and was lame after the race. Not sure if that's because he threw the shoe, or he gave so much to grind out for a win that didn't happen. Either way, hopefully he's okay.
15. Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones): Almost got it done in the Sunland Derby. While he's best runs have come in New Mexico, he did finish fourth behind #8 in the Lewis. He is now the horse on the bubble, and I heard that he would get 1 more start
Notable absent
Reveron (Songandaprayer): The FL Derby runner up has yet to run outside of Florida.
Hero of Order (Sharp Humor): The shocking upset winner of the LA Derby is the biggest since Rockamundo (with Mr. Upset himself Calvin Borel in the irons) won the Arkansas Derby. He's not TC nominated and will need a ton of help in getting into the Derby because of it.
Howe Great (Hat Trick (JPN)): He's prob. better on turf and sythetic then he is on dirt. With that said, he has a win on dirt, and defeated #4 in his last race. The Bluegrass is coming up very tough.
March 10, 2012
Best 1-2-3 BC Juvy Finish Ever?
1995: Unbridled's Song, Hennessy, Editor's Note
2000: Macho Uno, Point Given, Street Cry (IRE)
2011: Hansen, Union Rags, Creative Cause
What do these nine horses have in common? All are G1 winners, all had great jockeys riding them, and all nine ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The order that they are listed is also the order that they finished. 5 of the first 6 names went onto win a stakes race at 3 (Hennessy did not run at 3), with Editors Note and Point Given winning TC races (Point Given the Preakness and Belmont, Editors Note the Belmont). It got me thinking though, as great as those first six horses where, will Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause be even better at 3?
With Creative Cause's win this afternoon in the San Felipe, all of the top three from last year's BC Juvenile have now won stakes races at 3. Hansen was able to rebound from his Holy Bull loss to win the Gotham last week, and Union Rags returned with gusto to win the Fountain of Youth. All three will be the favorites in their final preps before heading to Churchill (CC- SA Derby, Han- Wood Memorial, UR- FL Derby). All three have won their stakes in impressive fashion (especially Creative Cause who ran down Bodemeister, while running greenly) and if they where to win their final preps, they would be the top three choices in the Derby morning line.
However, it's a little bit too early to tell weather or not they can keep this up. Hansen will most likely be facing Tampa Derby winner Prospective, Union Rags' competition might be suspect, and Creative Cause will be facing not only Bodemiester again, but the suprising I'll Have Another (winner of the Robert B. Lewis). One thing's for sure, if they can, they no doubt will be the best 1-2-3 finish in the BC Juvy ever.
2000: Macho Uno, Point Given, Street Cry (IRE)
2011: Hansen, Union Rags, Creative Cause
What do these nine horses have in common? All are G1 winners, all had great jockeys riding them, and all nine ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The order that they are listed is also the order that they finished. 5 of the first 6 names went onto win a stakes race at 3 (Hennessy did not run at 3), with Editors Note and Point Given winning TC races (Point Given the Preakness and Belmont, Editors Note the Belmont). It got me thinking though, as great as those first six horses where, will Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause be even better at 3?
With Creative Cause's win this afternoon in the San Felipe, all of the top three from last year's BC Juvenile have now won stakes races at 3. Hansen was able to rebound from his Holy Bull loss to win the Gotham last week, and Union Rags returned with gusto to win the Fountain of Youth. All three will be the favorites in their final preps before heading to Churchill (CC- SA Derby, Han- Wood Memorial, UR- FL Derby). All three have won their stakes in impressive fashion (especially Creative Cause who ran down Bodemeister, while running greenly) and if they where to win their final preps, they would be the top three choices in the Derby morning line.
However, it's a little bit too early to tell weather or not they can keep this up. Hansen will most likely be facing Tampa Derby winner Prospective, Union Rags' competition might be suspect, and Creative Cause will be facing not only Bodemiester again, but the suprising I'll Have Another (winner of the Robert B. Lewis). One thing's for sure, if they can, they no doubt will be the best 1-2-3 finish in the BC Juvy ever.
September 8, 2011
Regular Season Awards
We are just two months out to the Breeders' Cup which is when we will find out who will most likely be the champions for the year, but for now since the "Regular season" is over, lets hand out some awards!!!
2yo Filly: Weemissfrankie- Sure Sister Moon broke a track record, but she has yet to face stakes company. Weemissfrankie showed that she has the potential to be something special.
2yo Colt/Gelding: Currency Swap/Union Rags- The only reason why Drill is not the leader IMO is that the Del Mar Futurity was run roughly and he might not had won if it was run clean. However, by the time we get to the BC I do expect Drill to be ahead of the pack. As for Union Rags, his win was a very impressive one in the slop, he'll be the one to beat in the Champange.
3yo Filly: Turbulent Descent- It went back and forth on who to put here since for the first time in 3 years there's just not a standout in this division. As much as I don't care for her, she's been one of the most consistant this year.
3yo Colt/Gelding: Stay Thirsty- In what could be the most wide open 3yo male catagory in a long time, he takes the prize for defeating the Preakness, Belmont and Haskell winners in the Travers. Next up, Tizway and older males.
Older Female: Havre de Grace- I was thisclose of making it a tie between her and Blind Luck. However, her win in the Woodward puts her ahead... for now. If BL beats her in the Beldame (that is if she goes), then we are all square again.
Older Male: Acclamation- I know I'm going to get critized for this pick. However, he's already beaten the top Older Males in California on both main track and turf. His one hiccup was on dirt which he hated. Keep in mind that while he lost last year's Older Male, the defending champ in the catagory was Gio Ponti. Tizway is a nice horse, but he hasn't faced the greatest company.
Turf Female: Summer Soiree- This filly is this years "horse takes to turf, like a duck takes to water". Undefeated in her two starts, it's going to get tougher from here. It helps that this division once again is a bit of an engima to me.
Turf Male: Cape Blanco (IRE)- Has come in twice to defeat Gio Ponti on the nose both times. Our turf division stinks.
Sprinter Female: Turbulent Descent- With Ballerina winner Hilda's Passion on the sidelines, it's smooth sailing even though there are several tough horses still out there.
Sprinter Male: Big Drama/Trappe Shot- Yes I know Trappe Shot lost the Vanderbilt, but he actually looked like he was going to win. Do not be suprised if he prevails over what could be the deepest Sprint prep in sometime. As for BD, well he's the defending champ what else can you say. His return this weekend didn't look that visually impressive, but he won the race and should do well in NY if he is heading that way.
Horse of the Regular Season: Havre de Grace- A nose away from what could have been an undefeated season so far. Beat the boys last weekend and could be Classic bound. It's just a shame that she is from what is her sire's lone crop.
So I hope you enjoyed these!
2yo Filly: Weemissfrankie- Sure Sister Moon broke a track record, but she has yet to face stakes company. Weemissfrankie showed that she has the potential to be something special.
2yo Colt/Gelding: Currency Swap/Union Rags- The only reason why Drill is not the leader IMO is that the Del Mar Futurity was run roughly and he might not had won if it was run clean. However, by the time we get to the BC I do expect Drill to be ahead of the pack. As for Union Rags, his win was a very impressive one in the slop, he'll be the one to beat in the Champange.
3yo Filly: Turbulent Descent- It went back and forth on who to put here since for the first time in 3 years there's just not a standout in this division. As much as I don't care for her, she's been one of the most consistant this year.
3yo Colt/Gelding: Stay Thirsty- In what could be the most wide open 3yo male catagory in a long time, he takes the prize for defeating the Preakness, Belmont and Haskell winners in the Travers. Next up, Tizway and older males.
Older Female: Havre de Grace- I was thisclose of making it a tie between her and Blind Luck. However, her win in the Woodward puts her ahead... for now. If BL beats her in the Beldame (that is if she goes), then we are all square again.
Older Male: Acclamation- I know I'm going to get critized for this pick. However, he's already beaten the top Older Males in California on both main track and turf. His one hiccup was on dirt which he hated. Keep in mind that while he lost last year's Older Male, the defending champ in the catagory was Gio Ponti. Tizway is a nice horse, but he hasn't faced the greatest company.
Turf Female: Summer Soiree- This filly is this years "horse takes to turf, like a duck takes to water". Undefeated in her two starts, it's going to get tougher from here. It helps that this division once again is a bit of an engima to me.
Turf Male: Cape Blanco (IRE)- Has come in twice to defeat Gio Ponti on the nose both times. Our turf division stinks.
Sprinter Female: Turbulent Descent- With Ballerina winner Hilda's Passion on the sidelines, it's smooth sailing even though there are several tough horses still out there.
Sprinter Male: Big Drama/Trappe Shot- Yes I know Trappe Shot lost the Vanderbilt, but he actually looked like he was going to win. Do not be suprised if he prevails over what could be the deepest Sprint prep in sometime. As for BD, well he's the defending champ what else can you say. His return this weekend didn't look that visually impressive, but he won the race and should do well in NY if he is heading that way.
Horse of the Regular Season: Havre de Grace- A nose away from what could have been an undefeated season so far. Beat the boys last weekend and could be Classic bound. It's just a shame that she is from what is her sire's lone crop.
So I hope you enjoyed these!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)