Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Lise from Maine — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 03:19:12 GMT

Hi!

Congratulations to Union Rags and Mr. Matz for winning the Belmont Stakes today!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

GoldenBroom — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 02:25:28 GMT

Thank God Rags won...hope we can salvage another "disgugsting" year. Here's hoping he rolls back in the Travers and BCC. Though his time was nothing impressive...still, coulda shoulda, woulda...oh well.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Ranagulzion — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:18:08 GMT

Awesome!!!

The Dixie Union stamina limitation ghost has been exorcized in the Belmont Stakes, hallelujah! Now the 3YO championship and HOTY bids will require a herculean come-from-behind effort to topple I'll Have Another from the top spot ...making for an exciting second half of the racing season.

Its now unto the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup for "Beauty & the Beast".

Go Union Rags. Go Phyllis Wyeth. Go Michael Matz. Go Johnny V.

Go Baby, go baby, go baby, go!!!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Lexington Bloodstock — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 00:50:54 GMT

To all the folks who doubted Union Rags' pedigree, take the time to actually study it. He has both Northern Dancer and Native Dancer blood, top and bottom. Northern Dancer/NEARCO line horses can go 4 miles, never mind a mile and a half. Federico Tesio didn't breed sprinters...he bred Classic horses.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Sugarfoot — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:03:24 GMT

SPEED doesn't win the Belmont, class does. Don't count UR out yet. Just pray to God he has a new jockey cause the last one sucked! If we don't have a TC winner, I'm for UR all the way!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Uncle Smiley — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 00:48:45 GMT

Rosie Napravnik is the jockey for next year, in the Triple Crown.

Had she ridden Union Rags, this year... Well who knows..

It wasnt in the cards.

We need a Triple, but who knows if Union Rags will be the spoiler this year?

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Geronimo2123 — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:54:35 GMT

This is a great looking colt. I think Johnny V will use his long stride and tactical speed here. I think he wants to run and horses get more stamina from underneath than on top IMO...UR's damsire's damsire is Secretariat and he also has a nice tail line and Nijinsky underneath...from Northern Dancer.

He could be more dangerous here than many think-especially with Johnny V up. The horse WILL have a nice spot with Johnny V up. He almost went wire to wire in the Belmont Stakes for Pletcher in 2009 with a deep stalker. Johnny is not afraid to go...

I did not like UR for the Derby with that post and jockey. He is fresh and looks ready to go. Do not dismiss him.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Union Buster — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:35:38 GMT

Great pics Steve. If you hadn't told me this was "rags" I wouldn't have known him from others but they are great pics. Unfortunately this horse just doesn't seem to have gotten better since last year. I don't buy the he has only raced a few furlongs in his last two races I hear some say, if he was good enough he would have run down the slow finish in the Ky Derby once he got rolling. I'm not wasting a dime on him in the Belmont and am really hoping to see a Triple Crown Winner.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

ksweatman9 — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:56:17 GMT

I always thought Kelso was beautiful, Ann, and War Admiral, gorgeous. All horses have an inner beauty. Even horses who aren't strikingly beautiful from the onset, like Seabiscuit and Assault. Their beauty grows on you, you have to look deeper, but Kelso? He was handsome, first glance.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

SQ — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:13:11 GMT

As I like to call him The Spoiler!! Go Rags!!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Ida Lee — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:50:17 GMT

OMG I've been in love with Union Rags since I first laid eyes on him. And in case I had forgotten why, your photos and article brought it all back to me. Thank you so much for these photos. He looks wonderful and ready for the Belmont. Although I too will be cheering for I'll Have Another as a Triple Crown is just too awesome to ignore, I will continue to cheer on Union Rags in all his future endeavors.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

steve from st louis — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:50:04 GMT

Steve, he looks like a draft horse to me, tall and powerful behind. Maybe he can "pull" off the upset. Appears to have outgrown his speedy relatives. Don't know if he can get the 12 furlongs, but I'd sure like to breed him to smallish, slightly built mares.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Paula Higgins — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

Gorgeous pictures Steve of a gorgeous horse! I don't know that he will win the Belmont. Two things will have to happen. The rest Michael Matz gave him will work to his benefit and the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown will have taken alot out of IHA. Michael Matz takes very good care of his horses that's for sure.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

KY VET — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:46:08 GMT

Enter RAGS in the new wenstminster DOG show..............

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Wrensflight — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:11:26 GMT

Again Steve, you have come up with stunning photos. I agree that Michael Matz knows how to manage a horse and make the horse's life much happier. I have been a Union Rags fan since the beginning, so it's difficult to pick a horse for the Belmont as another Triple Crown winner would be so exciting. I also agree that a rider change is a positive decision. Although Julien is very talented, he and Union Rags did not seem like a good match. Best to all in the Belmont and wishing a safe trip to everyone.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Freetex — Mon, 28 May 2012 19:11:52 GMT

Oh mercy isn't Union Rags a striking thoroughbred!

Paddock/pasture time is so important for a horse.

Your photos of UR are so appreciated and they are top notch quality.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

scrabble — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:58:58 GMT

Thanks for another article meeting your high standards. What terrific pics. You have an outstanding horse looking even more so. That horse is jaw dropping. With the great New York rider Johnny V. on him, Union Rags now stands an excellent chance.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

realmccoy — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:38:17 GMT

Dixie union was trained by the great richard mandella , ve this horse and his story , smart to skip the preakness. Horible trip in the derby still ran on strong at the end

Smart money will give him another shot to end the hype centered around ill have another

I feel the next tripple crown winner will be trained by richard mandella , a great trainer and a great person, hell have his day .... Long over due

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Johnny — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:15:43 GMT

Best article yet Steve..

Horse looks better tahn when I saw him at Gulfstream..

We shall see if his performance matches his looks..

May the best horse win.

Side note To Honor and Serve getting 3-1 today??

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

michelee — Mon, 28 May 2012 17:44:23 GMT

Gorgeous!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Cris — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:56:18 GMT

All four legs wrapped all the time?

He is a beauty. I am more interested in him race in the Haskel or at Saratoga. Best of luck to him whereever he goes.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

Shelby's Best Pal — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:53:26 GMT

I would like an "up close" visit with Union Rags. He is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

LouAnn — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:22:56 GMT

Thankyou so much Steve for bringing Union Rags into my home for me to enjoy. Your shots of him are absolutely fantastic and I have to admit, I haven't seen any as crisp and lifelike as these. Please keep taking pics of the horses, you do a great job and have a knack for capturing the essence and soul of the horse. God Bless You!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

iceman92 — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:06:19 GMT

great photos! looks like a future miler to me. maybe he hits the board in the belmont. i"ll have another is mounting up negatives before the big race ie: no nasal strip, no published works and negative press for trainer. could be "another" close race.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: A Morning With Union Rags

robinm — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:18:42 GMT

I love this horse, love the way he is being handled and love the pics. That said, his numbers say he isn't as fast as I'll Have Another. Maybe this is a result of bad trips. June 9 he gets a new jock and a distance that gives every horse with talent a fair chance, so we'll see.

I'm a firm believer that only a great horse should win the Triple Crown. If I'll Have Another wins, he will have to be a great horse. If he doesn't win, I'd like to see Rags in the winner's circle.