Michael Matz, the trainer of Union Rags, confirmed that the
road to the 3-year-old championship goes through the Grade 1 $1 million Haskell
Invitational, to be renewed this year for the 45th time.
Matz, who was at Monmouth Park on Saturday to saddle Somali
Lemonade in the Grade 3 $100,000 Boiling Springs Stakes for 3-year-old fillies,
said that at this stage he has two options for Belmont Stakes-winning Union
Rags, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Sat., July 28 or the Haskell here on
Sun., July 29.
“I will have to make a decision,” said Matz. “I would
imagine, though, that if you are trying to be the 3-year-old champion, you have
to run in the grade one races and that would be the Haskell.”
Union Rags, a son of 2000 Haskell winner Dixie Union, has
won five of eight career starts. His
only off the board finish came in the Kentucky Derby, where he checked in
seventh after a troubled trip. He has
banked nearly $1.8 million for owner Chadds Ford Stable.
Already committed to a start in the mile and an eighth
Haskell are the ultra-speedy Bodemeister, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and
Preakness, and Dullahan, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes and third in the
Kentucky Derby.
Select reserved seats remain for the Haskell, ranging in
price from $10 to $17. Fans can purchase
tickets at the track on any live race day, or by calling 732-571-5563 or
visiting ticketmaster.com.