Union Rags tops Florida Derby field
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Trainer Michael Matz exuded confidence after Union Rags was established as a 6-5 favorite for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
“I think he’s a real good horse,” Matz said, “and he should improve off last time.”
Union Rags made an eye-catching 3-year-old debut when he rolled to a 4-length victory in the 11⁄ 16- mile Fountain of Youth Stakes here for new rider Julien Leparoux on Feb. 26.
Matz was not looking for a peak performance that day. He does not view the 1|-mile Florida Derby as a must-win situation, either.
“Our main goal is to get to the first Saturday in May in good order,” he said.
Union Rags is set to break from Post Six in a field of nine. El Padrino, the 2-1 second choice for trainer Todd Pletcher, will be ridden by Javier Castellano, who left Union Rags to accept the mount on now injured Algorithms for Pletcher. “I’m very comfortable with the post,” Castellano said. “It’s a mile-and-an-eighth race, and the horse to beat is Union Rags.”
El Padrino is gunning for his third victory in three starts this season. He opened his campaign by taking a Gulfstream Park allowance race by 2 lengths in late January. He then produced a gutsy nose win after a furious stretch duel with Mark Valeski in the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 25 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Take Charge Indy possesses a front-running style for jockey Calvin Borel, who is known for his ground-saving trips, and is expected to provide the early speed in the Florida Derby. He placed second to El Padrino, beaten by 2 lengths, in a Jan. 29 allowance race here.
Union Rags is pursuing his fifth victory in six starts. His lone blemish came when he missed by a head against Hansen after a wide trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs. He has $1,096,800 in earnings.
The Florida Derby field, starting from the first post position, with early odds in parentheses: Fort Louden (20-1), News Pending (8-1), Take Charge Indy (5-1), Neck N’ Neck (20-1), Z Camelot (50-1), Union Rags (6-5), Bartolome (30-1), El Padrino (2-1) and Reveron (12-1). — Tom Pedulla