Derby dream was nightmare for Matz, Union Rags

THE UNION RAGS team had dreams of more than the Kentucky Derby. They really thought they might have a horse that could win the Triple Crown.

That dream went away when the stall doors opened for Saturday’s Derby. Instead of, say, getting position and making it into an eight-horse race, with more than half the field behind him, Union Rags, 18th early, was in a 20-horse race and eventually finished seventh.

The team of owner Phyllis Wyeth, trainer Michael Matz and Wyeth adviser Russell Jones met Tuesday at Matz’ Fair Hill, Md., barn and decided that since the Triple Crown is out, the horse could really use more time between races. So they will skip the May 19 Preakness and get Union Rags ready for the June 9 Belmont Stakes.

Top-class horses almost never run races 2 weeks apart, except during the Triple Crown. It was decided that Union Rags could not only use the extra time, but the wide, sweeping turns at Belmont Park would mesh with the colt’s long, powerful strides.