union rags

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by pucknut

can someone help me understand why some of the pundits are saying rags cant get the distance?
rags is supposedly a dual qualifer being out of dixie union and gone west what makes the 1 1/2 any more beyond his reach than the other major players
IHA, dullahan, or for that matter paynter

From a superficial scan of the pedigrees, Union Rags is by a stallion who bombed in his only attempt at a classic distance (unplaced in the '00 Travers). Likewise, his broodmare sire was demolished by Bet Twice and co. in the '87 Belmont.

I'll Have Another is by a Travers winner, with a broodmare sire who won multiple stakes at classic distances and has sired a BC Classic winner.

Dullahan is a half-brother to a Kentucky Derby winner who placed in both the Preakness and the Belmont.

Paynter is by a multiple winner at classic distances (including the BC Classic and Queen's Plate) out of a mare closely related to dual BC Classic winner Tiznow (who also won the Big Cap and Super Derby).

Of course, specifically for 12f, look no further than Optimizer, who is by champion English Channel, with a Belmont Stakes winning broodmare sire. Load up.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

From a superficial scan of the pedigrees, Union Rags is by a stallion who bombed in his only attempt at a classic distance (unplaced in the '00 Travers). Likewise, his broodmare sire was demolished by Bet Twice and co. in the '87 Belmont.

I'll Have Another is by a Travers winner, with a broodmare sire who won multiple stakes at classic distances and has sired a BC Classic winner.

Dullahan is a half-brother to a Kentucky Derby winner who placed in both the Preakness and the Belmont.

Paynter is by a multiple winner at classic distances (including the BC Classic and Queen's Plate) out of a mare closely related to dual BC Classic winner Tiznow (who also won the Big Cap and Super Derby).

Of course, specifically for 12f, look no further than Optimizer, who is by champion English Channel, with a Belmont Stakes winning broodmare sire. Load up.

Load up on Optimizer? That is a ballsy call. I respect that.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by jms62

Load up on Optimizer? That is a ballsy call. I respect that.

It was tongue-in-cheek really, but considering recent winners like D'Tara, Commendable, Jazil and Sarava, I wouldn't be quick to mock those who take a flyer on him.

Actually, now that I think about it, Commendable was by Gone West, so Union Rags just moved up on the pedigree chart.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

It was tongue-in-cheek really, but considering recent winners like D'Tara, Commendable, Jazil and Sarava, I wouldn't be quick to mock those who take a flyer on him.

Actually, now that I think about it, Commendable was by Gone West, so Union Rags just moved up on the pedigree chart.

Problem is he comes from too far back. Belmont Stakes favors stalkers

[Arletta]

Dicky Downey's Winning Belmont patterns since 1978.

http://www.thedowneyprofile.com/More...ce-1978.415830

[Merlinsky]

People pick horses after saying they had traffic trouble in their last outing, but what appears to be bad racing luck is sometimes a case of just them making their own trouble. Bad breaks aren't always a fluke, for instance. Sometimes when horses get a good trip, it's because they were good enough to make their own luck or overcome what would've been a problem for another horse. The ability to go through a hole vs get squeezed for example. Afleet Alex overcame bad luck through his agility and athleticism.

Zenyatta should've had problems with her size and running style when trying to overcome pace and traffic, but she (almost) always worked it out because she was nimble enough. I like Union Rags, but one reason I didn't pick him in the Derby was a nagging fear that he'd get himself in trouble. Obviously in a 20 horse field the opportunity to then get out of trouble is very unlikely. Presumably a 1 1/2 race would give more time to fix things, assuming he gets the distance, but I still want I'll Have Another to get it, and if he can't it doesn't look like it'll be from lack of ability, stamina, or fitness on his part.

[RockHardTen1985]

I really am disapointed with myself. I'm totally buying into Union Rags. The power house work article is making me more comfortable. If he's not on or near lead then ill really be stunned.