Matz basks in glow of Rags’ Belmont victory

by | 06.10.2012 | 6:31am
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It has been an interesting year for trainer Michael Matz to say the least.

The former Olympian began the year with the colt that many pundits thought would win the Kentucky Derby. Not many things seemed to go Union Rags’ way, though, in both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. Whether it was ‘bad racing luck’ or maybe the colt just wasn’t as good as he had been at age two.

Whatever the case, there were many that had jumped off the Union Rags bandwagon. Matz remained a firm believer in his colt, though, and new if he could, for once, get a clean trip, his powerful colt would prove doubters wrong.

That opportunity finally came on Saturday, when Union Rags barrelled through an opening on the rail to win the 144th Belmont Stakes (gr. I), vindicating his faith in the colt.

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  • Damon Runyon

    Union Rags is a terrific racehorse, and he proved that with a thrilling, up-the-fence victory in the Belmont. Congratulations to him, and all his connections.

  • Lady Luster

    Ditto your sentiments. I stuck with him all along the way.

  • Lobieb

    Never lost faith in our boy, he just had to have the right jock to guide him.  Kudos to Michael and team, Rags and Johnny V for a splendid ride.

  • JC

    Regardless of the cause, I thought Union Rags’ problem was consistency–but again, I am glad he found his voice and proved himself world-class.  Hugs, Big Boy!!  Wow, he is so long and muscular with those great strides–breed him to Zenyatta–would you end up with a colt/filly that’s 18 hands?!!  :-)  

  • MamaKin

    Good for him…he finally showed up in the afternoon! Hopefully…..he can gain some confidence off of this & show some run going forward (Travers/Haskell?) We’ll see? I STILL think if Bodemeister was in one peice? he would have galloped in there. None of the TV people EVEN asked Baffert if he was kicking himself for not shipping to NY? Or what the story was? I guess we have to wait & see if he starts working(hasn’t worked since before the Derby)…..or if he makes the Haskell?

  • Bakemyshorts

    One problem Union Rags had to overcome was a jockey who was slow getting him out of the gate and failed to keep him in touch the field. A jockey change took care of both.

  • Pat

    YES!!!!!  I knew you could do it!  Finally a jockey that knows what a great horse he has under him. Way to go Rags! :-)

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