When I talked to Michael Matz after the 2-year-old stakes on
Thanksgiving weekend, he said he would not trade. Have to imagine his
reaction would be the same after watching last Saturday's CashCall
Futurity.
Since the Breeders' Cup, no 2-year-old has emerged to take the 2012
Kentucky Derby winter book favoritism away from Union Rags, trained by
Matz. Only Hansen has been able to beat Union Rags on the track. A few
horses ran faster Beyer Speed Figures, but none really proved anything.
There have been just three triple-digit Beyer Figures earned by a
2-year-old this year - J.C.'s Pride and the filly Stopshoppingmaria
(both 101) and Overdriven (100). J.C.'s Pride was euthanized in early
December due to complications from an infection. Stopshoppingmaria never
came close to that maiden win figure in two subsequent seconds in
stakes. Overdriven's figure declined seven points in his Sanford win and
he never raced again.
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