Union Rags Breezes 5f at Fair Hill

Working at Fair Hill in Maryland, Union Rags on Thursday turned in a 1:01 five-furlong breeze, pleasing trainer Michael Matz.

“I was looking for him to go in 1:01,” said Matz, who trains the 2011 Grade 1 Champagne and 2012 Grade 2 Fountain of Youth winner for Chadds Ford Stable. “He went nicely. We’re happy with him, and he’ll have one more work next week.”

Exercise rider Peter Brette was at the helm on Thursday, with jockey John Velazquez possible to be aboard Union Rags for his final breeze before the Belmont Stakes, Matz said. The Belmont will be Union Rags’ first race with Velazquez in the saddle as he’ll replace Julien Leparoux, who rode Union Rags to a victory in the Fountain of Youth, a third in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, and a seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.