Matz can't forget Union Rags's Derby

The question didn’t have to be asked. Just listening to Michael Matz talk about the seventh-place finish by Union Rags in the Kentucky Derby it was easy to tell the trainer hasn’t gotten over the disappointment yet.

Tuesday morning, with showers alternating between heavy and heavier at the Fair Hill Training Center where he is based, Matz discussed the frustrations over having a horse primed and ready for the biggest race of his life only to have it lost two jumps out of the gate.

For Union Rags, the Derby was over at the start. Under Julien Leparoux, Union Rags broke a step to the right, was bumped hard by Dullahan and was pinched back. Coming under the wire the first time, Union Rags was 18th in the 20-horse field. He ultimately rallied to finish seventh, beaten 7 1/2 lengths by I’ll Have Another. Union Rags was the 5-1 second choice.

“I woke up the next day and I thought it was a nightmare,” Matz said.