Sunday is a big day for the Michael Matz trained colt, Union Rags, who heads to the post for the Fountain of Youth Stakes, one of the traditional precursors to the Kentucky Derby. And while the pressure may be on for the spectators who hope that the colt brings home a win, Matz told USA Today, that he just wants the horse to run a nice race.
"I don't have to win the Fountain of Youth," Matz said. "I am looking for a good race to make him a step forward so that when we get to the Kentucky Derby, he can be in peak form."
It's an interesting strategy but Matz is known for his patience, readily apparent when he spaced the late Barbaro's warm ups for the Kentucky Derby months apart. Comparing the two, Matz notes, "Union Rags has a little bit better demeanor. He's so accommodating in everything he does. He still has to prove what Barbaro did prove."
Union Rags has some stiff competition in the race from Algorithms and Discreet Dancer, both Todd Pletcher trained colts. Hansen, who nipped Union Rags at the wire in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, has elected to go north and race in New York.
It's beginning to feel like Derby Fever may be brewing!
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