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Lukas, Stevens Headline 'It's My Derby' Party

The public is invited to hear some of the biggest names in racing take the stage April 19 to share their fondest Derby-winning memories.

Emma's Encore is Hurricane Bertie Highweight

Emma's Encore won the hearts of racing fans last summer racing for 83-year-old trainer Allen Jerkens. The daughter of Congrats is highweighted in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 10.

Hard Not to Like Shows Marshua's River Class

Making her first start since a sixth in the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Garland Williamson's Hard Not to Like proved her quality with a half-length victory in the $100,000 Marshua's River Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 5.

Pin Oak Valley View to Be Run in Divisions

An overflow of 24 sophomore fillies passed the entry box for the $125,000 Pin Oak Valley View (gr. IIIT), forcing Keeneland officials to split the Oct. 19 running of the race into divisions for the second time in history.

Three Jim Dandy Runners Back in Smarty Jones

Dwyer Stakes winner Teeth of the Dog, looking to rebound from a fourth in the Jim Dandy, heads a field of nine sophomores including Prospective and My Adonis in the $350,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Sept. 3 at Parx.

Colonial Flag Earns Grade in Ontario Colleen

Jockey Joe Rocco Jr., making his first visit to Woodbine Aug. 25, guided favorite Colonial Flag to a one-length victory in the $162,559 Ontario Colleen Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the turf.

Belmont Stakes Winner Union Rags Retired

Owner Phyllis Wyeth is now shopping for a stud deal for Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags, her adviser Russell Jones said July 20.

American Oaks, A Gleam Fields Taking Shape

A field of nine or 10 3-year-old fillies is likely to start in the American Oaks--Presented by American Airlines (gr. IT) July 14 on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Teeth of the Dog Holds on in Dwyer Stakes

J. W. Singer's Teeth of the Dog ran like an even-money favorite should, gamely holding off a late challenge from Fast Falcon to take the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) June 30 at Belmont Park.

Sophomores Look to Improve Form in Dwyer

For 3-year-old runners unsuccessful on the Triple Crown trail, the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park offers an opportunity to get back on track for the summer season.

Boiling Springs: Somali Lemonade Looks Ready

Grade III winner Somali Lemonade seeks a return to form as she makes her first start over the Monmouth Park turf in the $100,000 Boiling Spring Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 23.

Union Rags Quickly Ships Back to Fair Hill

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags was a happy horse this morning in Michael Matz's barn at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Md.

2012 Belmont Stakes Press Conference

Trainer Michael Matz and Jockey John Velazquez answer questions after Union Rags' victory in the 2012 Belmont Stakes.

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Union Rags Earns Riches in Thrilling Belmont

Union Rags, closing with urgency along the rail under John Velazquez, got up in the final couple of strides to win a heart-pounding finish over Paynter in the 2012 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9.

Dullahan is 9-5 Morning Line Belmont Favorite

Donegal Racing's Belmont contender is now the 9-5 favorite in Saturday's classic. Dullahan finished third in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness Stakes.

On Location - Michael Matz at Belmont Park

Trainer Michael Matz comments on his Belmont contender Union Rags.

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'Stakes' Barn to Be Used for Belmont Horses

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.

Union Rags Works for Belmont Stakes

Fountain of Youth winner is looking for a clean trip this time under John Velazquez.

Velazquez Named to Ride Union Rags in Belmont

Trainer Michael Matz confirmed May 22 that Union Rags will be ridden by jockey John Velazquez in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Teeth of the Dog Has International Flavor

Teeth of the Dog, a 15-1 shot for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), was bred by a farm with roots in Azerbaijan.

Teeth of the Dog Breezes, Set for Preakness

Expected Preakness Stakes (gr. I) starter Teeth of the Dog breezed five furlongs in 1:01 under at Fair Hill Training Center May 12.

Union Rags to Skip Preakness Stakes

Trainer Michael Matz and owner/breeder Phyllis Wyeth announced May 9 that they have decided to forego the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) with Union Rags.

Derby Draw: Favored Bodemeister in Post 6

Zayat Stable's Bodemeister, the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner, drew post 6 and was made the 4-1 morning line favorite for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Trainer's Dinner Brings Candid Moments

Hosted by Todd Schrupp and Paul Rogers, the Trainer's Dinner attracted a full crowd to the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville May 1.

Union Rags Sharp in Final Move for Derby

Chadds Ford Stable's Union Rags turned in a sharp half-mile work April 28 and galloped out so strongly the clockers gave him a five-furlong work in :59 4/5. Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard the son of Dixie Union.

And Why Not Fires Oaks Bullet; 4 Others Work

Helen Groves' And Why Not fired a :46 4/5 bullet in a half-mile drill at Churchill Downs April 28. The daughter of Street Cry was one of five fillies that worked under the Twin Spires for the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Union Rags Gallops, Set For Saturday Breeze

Chadds Ford Stable's Union Rags galloped 1 1/2 miles April 27 on his first tour of the track at Churchill Downs this year. He is scheduled to breeze April 28, depending on the weather.

Leparoux and 'Rags' a Strong Union

Julien Leparoux has put the Fla Derby behind him and is looking ahead with Union Rags

Michael Matz - Union Rags Work 4/20/2012

Michael Matz talks about Union Rags' work at Keeneland on April 20, 2012.

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Union Rags Works Half-Mile at Keeneland

The son of Dixie Union worked just after 9 a.m., clocking a half-mile in :47 2/5 and galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.

Somali Lemonade Returns in Appalachian

Grade III winners Somali Lemonade and Dayatthespa headline a field of nine 3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Appalachian (gr. IIIT) at a mile on the Keeneland turf April 19.

Union Rags Records Final Work at Palm Meadows

Union Rags recorded his first workout since the Florida Derby (gr. I) and his final move at Palm Meadows April 12, breezing four furlongs in :48 2/5. It was the second fastest work of 16 that morning.

Take Charge Indy Heading to Churchill Early

A day after Take Charge Indy captured the Florida Derby (gr. I), trainer Patrick Byrne said he plans to ship the colt to Churchill Downs early for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Take Charge Indy Pulls Florida Derby Upset

Take Charge Indy, with Calvin Borel aboard for Pat Byrne, went wire-to-wire in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I), as he outfought 31-1 shot Reveron. Union Rags, the 2-5 favorite, disappointed to finish third March 31.

Union Rags a Brothers/IEAH Pinhooking Star

Chris Brothers will be watching the Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park with great interest March 31.

Union Rags Draws Post 6 in Florida Derby

Before any Triple Crown talk can start, Union Rags must handle his business against eight contenders in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) March 31 at Gulfstream Park.

Matz Feels Union Rags Has Point to Prove

Michael Matz has put the past behind him and is only focusing on getting Union Rags through the Florida Derby and on to the Kentucky Derby, but the trainer is still clearly bothered by the Eclipse Award voting.

Union Rags, Others Work for Florida Derby

Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Union Rags breezed a half-mile in company March 24 at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a start in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I).

Union Rags Works Toward Florida Derby

Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Union Rags worked an easy half-mile at Palm Meadows the morning of March 10 as he continued to prepare for the March 31 Florida Derby (gr. I).

Union Rags Gallops Away in Fountain of Youth

With Algorithms scratched from the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), Union Rags made easy work of what had been a highly anticipated match-up at Gulfstream Park Feb. 26.

Union Rags Takes on Pletcher Duo in FOY

The high-anticipated 3-year-old race pits the current Derby favorite, Union Rags, against two undefeated and top-class horses from the barn of leading trainer Todd Pletcher, Algorithms and Discreet Dancer.

Algorithms vs. Union Rags in 3YO Showdown

There's a good chance we'll have a clear-cut favorite for the Kentucky Derby after the Feb. 26 clash between the undefeated Holy Bull winner Algorithms and Champagne winner Union Rags.

Union Rags Ready for Fountain of Youth

Union Rags signaled his readiness for next Sunday's Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park when he breezed four furlongs in :48 4/5 Sunday at Palm Meadows Training Center.

From 'Rags' to Pletcher Riches

What went into Javier Castellano's decision to drop Union Rags?

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Union Rags Breezes Bullet Half

Champagne winner has solid tune-up for 3-year-old debut in Fountain of Youth

Matz Ready for Another Derby Run

Six years after Barbaro, Matz is back on the Derby trail.

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Union Rags Begins With Easy 3 Furlong Breeze

Early Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite Union Rags had his first work of his 3-year-old season Jan. 11 at Palm Meadows, breezing an easy three furlongs in :38 1/5.

Union Rags Back in Light Training

Turned out at a Wellington, Fla. farm shortly after suffering his first loss by a nose in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) on Nov. 5, Union Rags has returned to light training after a short break.

Shippers Get Focus in Hollywood's Miesque

An easy maiden winner over a yielding grass course at Keeneland Oct. 26, 2-year-old filly Assateague will step into stakes company in the $100,000 Miesque (gr. III) at Hollywood Park Nov. 25.

Gr. I Star Elusive Kate Choice in Filly Turf

The John Gosden-trained Elusive Kate, winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac (Fr-I) was made the 2-1 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT).