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Game On Dude worked 6f in 1:13.40 (2/8) at Santa Anita on 6-18. Posted 19 hours ago
Declaration of War upsets the Queen Anne Stakes! Posted 22 hours ago
Normandy Invasion breezed 4f in :48.40 (3/56) at Saratoga on 6-16. Posted 2 days ago
Smiling Tiger posted a 3F bullet in 35:60 (1/12) at Pleasanton on June 15. Posted 3 days ago
Fort Larned runs them off their feet in the Stephen Foster!Posted 3 days ago
There will be a Pick Six carryover of $130,526 when racing resumes Sunday at Hollywood.Posted 3 days ago
Funny Proposition shocks the champ in the Fleur de Lis!Posted 3 days ago
Free World rolls in the Centaur Stakes at Indiana Downs! Posted 3 days ago
Byrama romps in the Vanity!Posted 3 days ago
The slipper fits for Sprouts in the Cinderella!Posted 3 days ago

Michael R. Matz

[Edit]

Trainer
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Born:

January, 23, 1951 - Unionville, PA USA

Hometown:

Coatesville, PA USA

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What the Nation is saying about Trainer Michael R. Matz...

Colonial Flag Ready to Begin Campaign in Mint Julep

Colonial Flag was given time off following her third-place finish behind Centre Court and Leading Astray in the Mrs. Revere (GII) at Churchill Downs in November, but now is ready to begin her 4-year-old campaign for trainer Michael Matz in Saturday’s $100,000-added Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (G...Read More

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Pianist Takes Control in Gallorette

Hidden Brook & Dan Zucker’s Pianist took control soon after the start and played “catch me if you can” the rest of the way, as the Chad Brown-trained filly went the distance in the $150,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3) at Pimlico Race Course. Read More

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Michael R. Matz

No Matz, No Drysdale, No Motion. Bummer. Hope to see them somewhere in the Triple Crown.

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Cocoa2 · Amoss, O' Brien... I'm not a Matz fan · 62 days ago ·

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Hard Not To Like Seeks More GP Turf Glory

After returning victoriously from an eight-month layoff last month, Hard Not to Like will seek her second turf stakes victory of the Gulfstream Park meeting in Saturday’s $150,000 Suwannee River (G3).Read More

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Mary Z. · Kya One, Hard Not To Like, Leading Astray, Channel Lady. · 130 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Leading Astray scratched. Adding Romacaca . Is this her last race? · 129 days ago ·

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Matz Searches for Another Union Rags

Mornings at Palm Meadows Training Center are considerably less hectic this season for Michael Matz, who trained high-profile Triple Crown prospect Union Rags amidst a swirl of attention last year.Read More

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marian.v.horton · I love Michael Matz -- a true gentleman and a true Hero... · 144 days ago ·

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likin sparks · Hard to Handle shall impress at over a mile, not sure if I like this drop in distance Mr. Matz · 144 days ago ·

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Hard Not To Like Takes Marshua's River

Hard Not to Like hardly looked like a horse that hadn’t run in eight months when she bravely slipped through a small opening along the inside rail in deep stretch and courageously fought her way to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Marshua’s River (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Read More

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Romacaca South Beach Favorite

Frank Calabrese’s 6-year-old mare Romacaca is a veteran Graded turf stakes performer with earnings of more than $850,000 and appears to be a solid favorite in a full field of 13 fillies and mares drawn for Sunday’s $100,000 South Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park to be run at 7 ½ furlongs on turf.Read More

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AnnaK · Such a nice win for the 6 yr old. Then Chokurai and Hooh Why. Nice way to end the weekend. · 191 days ago ·

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Colonial Flag, Somali Lemonade Arrive at CD

Colonial Flag and Somali Lemonade arrived at Churchill Downs from their base at Fair Hill in Maryland early Thursday morning and will give trainer Michael Matz two shots in Saturday night’s $175,000-added Mrs. Revere (Grade II). Read More

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Derby Trends: BC Juvenile-Kentucky Derby Double

Is a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Champion ready to wear the roses once again?Read More

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zatt · Only 5 Kentucky Derby winners have even run in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile ... Wow! · 222 days ago ·

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Monmouth · The Road to the Kentucky Derby is long and difficult. Winning an Eclipse as a 2YO is clearly a goal for the earlier developing juveniles. If you think about it, to compete for that Eclipse Award and then survive to run in the Derby is a huge task. · 222 days ago ·

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rafirox · Fantastic article. I am quite shocked that onle five have ever started in the juvenile and won. I think the rarity of the double is the ability to continue to improve. Being the best two year old, then the best three year old his a hard task. The horse must keep improving in order to remain the best. I am in shock about that only five runners have ran in the juvi and win the derby. But I am not suprised about that only one has doubled. They improve at different rates. When they are two and three, some of them improve every race. Either with Baby Steps, or Leaps, until they reach their peak. Many horses peak at the right time, in May, others peak to early, or shall I say Bloom to early, not peak to early. The juvi winners are generally early bloomers, who are making the LEAPS early. Take their campagn as a HORSE RACE. An early bloomer is in the lead the whole race. They head for the stretch (PREPS) and the early bloomer's stride (Improvment) Is lowering..... A "Late" Bloomer will fly in and win at the finish line (The Derby) It is as simple as that. Don't get to high on Bobby at all, he has many of these aspects to "shorten his stride" come major prep season. Excellent article. · 222 days ago ·

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ruffian65 · Great article Bryan! Very informative and certaintly a lot to ponder especially now when we have to throw in the new point system. It's such a hard road to the roses, wishing everyone a safe journey. · 220 days ago ·

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ruffian75 · Good article, Bryan. A question that came to mind: There are only five to have won the Ky Derby after having ran in the Juvenile. If I recall, they don't seem to do much after that. Seems Street Sense took a back seat to Curlin, thereafter. I guess Alysheba would be the exception to this rule, but I would think that, for the most part, that if they pursue this road to the Derby, it might not go much further? · 220 days ago ·

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kentuckyderbypost · Ruffian75 - Fair point. Sea Hero raced as a 4 yr old but his best performance was a win in the Travers also at age 3. KY Derby was Mine That Bird’s last win, 0 for 9 after. Street Sense was retired after his 3-yr-old season but not before winning the Jim Dandy and Travers. Alysheba is the exception, raced at age 4 and won the BC Classic along with 5 other Grade 1 races. · 220 days ago ·

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Matriarch Likely for Dayatthespa

Dayatthespa scored her first Grade 1 win in the 1 1/8-mile QE II. Her streak includes Keeneland’s 1-mile Appalachian (G3) in April. Her future appears to include a trip to Southern California.Read More

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Floridaf · On October 28, Dayatthespa breezed 4F in 48:19 (3/11) on the inner turf at Belmont Park. · 233 days ago ·

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Can Union Rags Beat I’ll Have Another in the Belmont Stakes?

Union Rags has not improved since turning three. He always finds trouble. He is not bred to run a mile and a half. He is overrated. Are any of these statements true? Are all of them true? I have been reading similar comments about Union Rags on HorseRacingNation.com and it is time to find out if he ...Read More

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dom.capobianco · Union Rags is just that a rag -- NO SHOT. · 390 days ago ·

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gocashking · Agree! NO SHOT! · 390 days ago ·

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RunYourRace101 · He had a shot all the horses did. · 342 days ago ·

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TimSmith · tecnically he had a shot but can you really imagine IHA not running it in 227-229? · 342 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · Haha the first two comments made me laugh. IHA would have had a hard time with the fast lead horse Paynter and the late closer Union Rags. He ran one of his best races! Too bad they retired him. · 325 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · There are many things wrong with your statement. Paynter was not a fast lead horse in the Belmont. There were instances where IHA overcame both a slow and fast pace. UR was not closer in the race, but more of a midpack-stalker. · 325 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · Ok, look back on his race. He was boxed in the whole way. When Paynter got the huge speed check, there was nothing he could do. Now, in the Derby and Preakness IHA was to the OUTSIDE so he could have gotten around a huge speed check. It was impossible for UR to get around Paynter, and to fit through that tiny hole on the rail for being 17 hands? Unbeliveable. · 324 days ago ·

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travel_vic · My gosh Dressage SOME ONE knows that pace is not postion by interval time....Way to go · 324 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · TV, what exactly do you mean by that? · 324 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · Happy to be of service TV. URR, UR's hole was by no means 'tiny'. Even for a big horse like him there was plenty of room. Mine That Bird had to go through a smaller hole with Calvin Borel in the KD (his iron scraped the rail). Now THAT was a small hole. Going to the outside means IHA had to cover even more distance. It was not impossible either. There were many times where JV could have taken him to the outside, but decided to save ground. Stop over-dramatizing UR's belmont · 324 days ago ·

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gelded1 · Blame Mike Smith for that one. Johnny V just took advantage of his mistake. · 324 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · Not really even Smith's fault. Horses swerve from the rail all the time. If you weighed 1/2 a ton, would listen to the 100 lb ant on your back that was trying to direct you? · 323 days ago ·

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GregRiessland · i'll have another would win and he would have now problem with paynter just wait and run him down like he did to bodie. · 323 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · You can't say IHA would have won, not with that injury. And UR already beat Paynter cause he couldn't handle that much distance. UR is better than Paynter in many distances · 323 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Even 9f? · 323 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · Yes, did you not say his 2 yo year? Only beaten once by a nose and if he had been a little tighter would have won. But I could what if my self to death lol. It is in the past. · 323 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · *see · 323 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · You can say IHA would have won, he had that injury for a long time, it was the stupid NYRA's regulations that prevented treatment and led everyone to go with retirement. · 323 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · URR- You are quite an amusing one. You keep saying there's no guaretenne that IHA would have won, but you continue to insist URR is best horse. Raced against IHA once and lost= wasn't on his game. Raced against Paynter once at a distance neither are built for= he · 323 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · 's the best 3 yr old and way better than Paynter at any distance. What nonsense. I'd take Paynter, IHA, or Bode at 1 1/4 mile or under over URR any day. · 323 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · Nope. UR does Rule. But his so called "troubled trips" were not just troubled. They were terrible. The only horse who could have over come that would have been a horse like Sulky Sulivan. Even if UR would have been 10th up early in the Derby he would have won, if not been close to it. He was closer in the Belmont, and he won. No horse could have overcame what he had going in the Derby. Maybe if he would not have been boxed he could have. But he was caught on the rail, thus leaving him in defeat. · 321 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · Horses overcome terrible trips all the time. To use that as an excuse eventually becomes exhausting. Less face the facts: He won 1 G1 race when he was two against Alpha- who is a decent horse, but is still coming into his own- and the Belmont when he was 3, a race that was too far for any of the horses and his only competition which was Paynter who never won against IHA, Bode, and CC. Paynter' · 321 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · 's a good horse, but he still has yet to prove he's better than those that raced and placed well in the TC races. · 321 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · UR just another on a long list that never fullfilled their greatness... Good horse but wasnt around long enough to get a true read on his capabilities. · 321 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · He still won it. He wasn't really built for that distance either, but he did it. There is one fact. Another is that Alpha is a pretty good horse, but when he raced him I will agree it was a "one horse race". I see where I have gone wrong, but I will hold to my beliefs. UR is one of the Best 3 yo of this year. IHA at the top. While we are on the subject of 3 yo's, I don't know why on the left side there is the "head to head" and Bode gets A TON of votes, even over horses like Game On Dude, Royal Delta, Animal Kingdom, and more. Seems fishy. He isn't as great as GOD I know for sure. · 321 days ago ·

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travel_vic · In the last 10 -20 years, in a breeding program that produces NO stamina, you are going to see more and more horse that get good postion early in a long contest, just maintain their ground. Those are not stamina horses just survivors. · 320 days ago ·

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travel_vic · In the last 10 -20 years, in a breeding program that produces NO stamina, you are going to see more and more horse that get good postion early in a long contest, just maintain their ground. Those are not stamina horses just survivors. · 320 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · Why are we still talking about this? UR won the Belmont but he wouldnt have beat I'll Have Another. · 320 days ago ·

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LetTheHorseRun · How do you know...? He could of been like Animal Kingdom who tripped in the Belmont. · 317 days ago ·

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LetTheHorseRun · Can you see the future? Umm... I think not. · 317 days ago ·

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LetTheHorseRun · Oh my... if IHA moves from the mid pack to the front, UR could of got through the Gap leaving Mario turning IHA to the other side of Anti gun. IHA barely beat Bode in the Preakness. · 317 days ago ·

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LetTheHorseRun · Atigun* · 317 days ago ·

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Alpha 5-2 Choice in Competitive Jim Dandy

Alpha returns to the site of his very first victory in Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Read More

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buds · I like Alpha but at 12-1(Prospective), and 20-1 (My Adonis), These are accomplished horses that could win this race. Gonna have to take a real close look. · 328 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I sort of like Fast Falcon, Rosie and Zito at 10-1, who knows it could happen. · 328 days ago ·

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rafirox · I love the odds on Teeth of the Dog! 5-1 for a massivly improving colt. · 327 days ago ·

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rafirox · Also i like Fast Falcon at 10-1. · 327 days ago ·

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Horsefan90 · I like Alpha, Teeth Of The Dog, and Fast Falcon. · 327 days ago ·

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jmac500 · Neck n' Neck and my adonis might shock us. · 327 days ago ·

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josh.atkinson2 · Teeth of the Dog and Fast Falcon in here. http://handicrapper.blogspot.com/ · 327 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · My Adonis at 20-1? I'll take that!!!!!!!! · 327 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · my final prediction: Alpha, Teeth of the Dog and Liaison for my trifecta · 326 days ago ·

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gelded1 · Atigun,Fast Falcon and Alpha exacta and tri box. · 326 days ago ·

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buds · looking at the posts proves how close this race is going to be... All of the entrants have been listed as horses people like · 326 days ago ·

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rafirox · http://horseracingrox.blogspot.com/2012/07/jim-dandy-g2-at-saratoga.html · 326 days ago ·

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Michael R. Matz

Does anyone know if he has any 2YO'S he's training?

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Union Rags Retired

Union Rags became a potential Kentucky Derby horse during the 2011 Saratoga meet. As the 2012 Saratoga meet opened Friday, Union Rags’ owner Phyllis Wyeth made the decision to retire her Belmont Stakes winner.Read More

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zxswordxz · This is just sad...Don't even know what to make of it. Happy for the horse sad for fans. · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Too bad. He did not get a chance to live up to all his potential · 333 days ago ·

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Horsefan90 · It's sad but I saw this coming. · 333 days ago ·

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travel_vic · stop breeding thoroughbreds made out of spun glass and this won't keep happening · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Vic. Couldn't agree more. · 333 days ago ·

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TimSmith · That is some serious crap, Make a rule that if a horse doesnt run after August 1, They cannot win an eclipse award. Also If a horse is retired before 5 years old he can not be a stallion. This is driving me nuts. · 333 days ago ·

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footlick · If it is a career ending injury then the horse should be able to stand stud. · 333 days ago ·

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footlick · Of course I do not think that is the case here · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Tim. You would agree with Jeff Gural head of the Meadowlands that no 3yr old sire can have a Hambletonian runner. Should do it for the TC and Breeders cup · 333 days ago ·

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TimSmith · To win an eclipse a horse has to race into Agust of that season...If a horse does not run in 3 seasons he can not become a stud. · 333 days ago ·

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MIke in SB · I don't think this surprised anyone, but Tim is right, racing must find a way to encourage owners to race their horses and not send them early to the farm. One way would be to move the big money races from 2 and 3 year old races to races for older horses. But nothing is going to happen until racing has a single ruling authority, a commissioner, like every other major sport in the country. · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · One of the problems that encourages quick retirement is the changes to the hobby farm tax provisions, meaning that you have less time in a business like racing to make a profit in order to take a lot of deductions for racing expenses. This change came in the 80s where you really began the race to the breeding shed · 333 days ago ·

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Armada · ...figures. · 333 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · As long as there is so much more money involved in stud as opposed to keeping a colt on the track, there is little incentive for owners to not retire their top colts in situations like this. Is it Germany who has the strict rules about minimum amount of seasons racing and no use of race day meds for a colt to be able to stand at at stud in that country? If I won the lotto I would be buying up well conformed German fillies to import and breed to our greenhouse spun glass American stallions to try to get some soundness and general good health back into the breed. · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Absolutely right Kay. You sell yearlings for millions and millions for breeding rights, no surprise. Years ago the Bluebloods kept this in check because the horses they raced went to their breeding farms and it was laughed at to pay a lot for yearlings. Changes came when Frank McMahon bought Majestic Prince for a world recod and then his full brother the next year for another record. After that there was no stopping the amounts for yearlings · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Then you had Secretariats retirement at three and we went down hill from there · 333 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · I really hope the new Kentucky Derby points system helps with this. In order to make it to the big race, there will be a far reduced emphasis on top form in sept-nov of their 2 year old season with hopes it lasts through June. · 333 days ago ·

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TimSmith · The derby is May 1 · 333 days ago ·

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TimSmith · Fisrt week I meant · 333 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · Yep, Tim, I mean the full Triple Crown. · 333 days ago ·

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rafirox · what sucks is this was the best crop of 3 year olds i can remember in 20 years, and they keep being retired and injured. · 333 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Rafirox you are very accurate about this crop. I had such high hopes for them particularly when so many were around for the TC races · 333 days ago ·

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ruffianlover · utterly disappointing. I don't think we ever truly got to see what this horse could do. I thought Wyeth was a different type of owner, and wouldn't pull the "more money in the breeding shed" stunt. There are plenty of horses than run well past three years old. · 333 days ago ·

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bronzeprincess33 · I suspected this would happen. Still disappointed, though. · 332 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Looks like this decision may have caught Matz by surprise. A few days ago he was giving an interview with someone from TVG and said UR was coming back as a 4 yr old · 332 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · Yes, I feel bad for Matz. Sounds like the owner kept him completely out of the loop when it came to the retirement decision. · 332 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · somebody of fb said that this horse was overrated, despite being belmont winner. i couldn't disagree more. he's a very good horse that had a short successful career. · 332 days ago ·

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forego139 · If I'll Have Another who won the Ky Derby and Preakness ended up in Japan due to lack of good $$$ offers so what makes them think that UR will end up in Kentucky unless they settle for a very low offer to stand him at stud or sell him very cheap for stud duty because the money is just not there in the US today, all the big money is overseas, most likely thats where Union Rags will end up, overseas · 332 days ago ·

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railbird33 · For all of you younger race fans the last ten years have been VERY frustrating to get behind a good 3 YO. Let's look at the last ten KY Derby winners- only three went past their 3 YO campaigns: Mine That Bird, Giacomo uneventful brief 4 YO campaigns, Funny Cide did well, but as a gelding- easy decision. Kay & Buckpasser are correct, you will have very few horses to watch year over year. Pity !! · 332 days ago ·

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TimSmith · How do those stats compare with other triple crowns from around the world I wonder? Do there winners continue to run? · 332 days ago ·

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TimSmith · First race winners I mean.. · 332 days ago ·

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JanicePalmer · Looks like Rags will be going to a domestic buyer! Mrs. Wyeth wants him to stay where she can find him. Think they will probably be able to find a pretty lucrative deal in Kentucky. Besides his good looks and pedigree, he is the best son of Dixie Union and his only son to win at 12f. He is one of a very few in recent memory who as a precocious two-year old, won the Champagne and then came back at three to take the Belmont Stakes. Add to that his quality wins at distances ranging from 5 1/2f to 12f and you have a very appealing stud prospect indeed. · 332 days ago ·

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Matz Talks Union Rags, Teeth of the Dog

Union Rags, the winner of last month’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, was retired this weekend because of a tendon injury in his left foreleg.Read More

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Union Rags Should Make Full Recovery

While Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags won’t race again this year due to an injured suspensory ligament, the prognosis for a return to the races in 2013 is favorable should his connections choose to bring him back.Read More

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JohnNicoletti1 · Don't think so, Mr.Matz. Way too much money in the breeding shed. Goodbye Rags, you were something special. Hopefully, your offspring will create some the magic you possessed on the track. · 341 days ago ·

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Union Rags Sidelined With Tendon Injury

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags has sustained a minor tendon injury and will miss the remainder of the 2012 season. Read More

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ruffianlover · awful news :( Two great horses out this year due to this injury. What a disappointment. But glad it isn't a life ending injury. · 343 days ago ·

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RunYourRace101 · NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! · 343 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Until some BONE and ligament is bred back into the breed, expect more and more news like this. · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · tV couldn't more. As Johnny Nerud, the · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Sorry for the multiple posts. But as Johnny Nerud said you can't expect to have a horse win a triple crown when the sire runs in 4 races and the mare runs the same. Until we start getting more stamina in our horses, we are going to continue to compromise their soundness. We need to bring in some foreign sires to start putting more bone into these horses. All we are raising are glorified quarter horses. · 343 days ago ·

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notobsessed · Again: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! · 343 days ago ·

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travel_vic · The breeding industry may have to resort to what the standardbreds have done: allow artificial insemination so that we can get back to hybrid vigor. Imagine inbreeding Austalian and SOuth American Stamina, genes that have evloved in isolation to the NA variety. Hybrid vigor at its best...Also re-introduce Arabian blood for a 10 to 20 year window. · 343 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Durg your horses, forget the logic of selective pressure and breed for NOTHNG but speed, promote 2 year old racing as if it is the end all (imagine if we pushed you bseball players the way we push babiy thoroughbred? We would have hundereds of childeren with epiphysel injuries like avulsion of the radial head....Ridiculous and then people wonder what happened!! Insanity · 343 days ago ·

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buckpasser · We have always had active 2 yr old racing, but where I think the problem lies is that we are breeding horses that are from sires and dams that do not race very much except for shorter and shorter races. I agree TV that we need to bring in outside horses particularly from Australia and other places. What we need to do is have a top Australian horse shuttle to North America for breeding. Right now Somebeachsomewhere is shuttling to Australian to improve their harness breeding. I think we need also to look at South African horses as well · 343 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · Is there a reason US breeders do not shuttle mares to foreign countries? Why not send a mare for a year until the foal needs weaning then bring them both back to the US? Are there stricter quarantine rules for this? Although I'm sure its a lot more money. · 343 days ago ·

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Black Watch Inc. · He's through racing for good, but fortunately he's ok. It's off to the shed now. Very few outstaning colts return at four anyway these days, one of the reasons why the older circuit is ignored by all but racing enthusiasts. · 343 days ago ·

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Footlick · There are too many investors in thoroughbred racing who only want a quick return on their dollar. · 343 days ago ·

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Footlick · There are too many investors in thoroughbred racing who only want a quick return on their dollar. · 343 days ago ·

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switch360 · maybe he was sold for big $$$$ and has the same tendon injury as IHA · 343 days ago ·

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footlick · @switch360-lol · 343 days ago ·

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bronzeprincess33 · Even if he comes back next year (which I don't think he will), he'll probably be a cut below what he was this year. And I believe that breeding is the problem. What part of "We need stamina, not speed", don't they understand? · 343 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Seasbisucit, after his almost career ending injury, came back STRONER than ever befors so there is no black and white outcome to this, but MOST never come back. · 343 days ago ·

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notobsessed · who's next? Hansen, Bodemeister? Last horse standing at he end of the year gets 3 year old of the year? · 342 days ago ·

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buckpasser · In a different day, he would come back. AmbitiousD. I think just logistically and with quarantine issues, it would be easier with a Stallion shuttling. The only way I see him coming back, discounting a severe injury is if the potential money is not there. And the idea of a championship year would improve stud fees · 342 days ago ·

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railbird33 · With so much disappointment and injuries to the 3 YO crop, it makes it easier to shift to the standardbreds for the rest of the summer-starting with the $1 million Meadowlands Pace final this Saturday. I find it curious that the pacers & trotters rarely get season or career ending injuries. · 342 days ago ·

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yukichan · @AmbitiousD-or, as Reddam alluded to-owners can buy mares in foal at auction in Japan and bring them back. Yoshida does this on a regular basis and in fact a couple of Curlin yearlings sold well at the recent JHRA sale. Austrailian owned Paca Paca Farm bought a Deep Impact filly who may race in Japan or Europe. Shuttling a mare would seem to be an option too, and less expensive. We have/had Lonhro (Octagonal) who shuttled here from Australia. I wonder if he saw some quality mares? · 342 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Thanks yukican for the info. I just wonder why we don't shuttle more stallions from areas that still have real distance racing, like Australia etc. to help build stamina in our lines. I think what my problem is that I see our horses here being more injury prone than in the past and our breeders seem more parochial in their approach. Which is a great contrast from the great breeders who bought top stallions and mares from abroad to supplement the stock here. I also think the breeders made a terrible mistake not keeping IHA here. I understand Reddam completely for selling him to Japan. I think he will be a great success there · 342 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · I'm so disappointed in horse racing these day's. It is like one horse after another going down to injury. There are no soundness and stamina in US breeding anymore. Just wish someone would take a page out of Secretariat...Bloodline from Europe and US on both the Dam and Sire side. · 342 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · This is really sad, althought it helps HOTY chances for I'll Have Another, it still bums me out. I agree that stamina needs to come back, I think having a horse that can race for 4-5 years consistently would help restore popularity. · 342 days ago ·

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jinlie01 · Too bad..hope he recovers and comes back next season. Both winners of the 2012 Triple Crown races done. · 342 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Today the horses are being bred for speed and not stamina but I think the bigger problem is the way they are being trained, with too much time between races. I'll Have Another had 9 weeks and 4 weeks between races before the Derby and Union Rags had 5 weeks between all of his races this year. Contrast that with the records of the great horses of the 1970's who often raced every two weeks, and remember the big Derby preps like the Wood, Arkansas Derby and Bluegrass used to be two weeks or less before the Derby. This trend of racing horses every 6-8 weeks is bad for the sport and it seems to be just as bad for the horses. · 342 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Couldn't agree more Mike in SB. Carry Back ran 21 times as a two yr old.nthat may be a little excessive but he was sound for a long career and even contested the Arc in France. We will never get another TC winner if horses race as little as they do and go to the breeding shed and sire horses that race even less. · 342 days ago ·

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Dullahan Commits to the Haskell

The 2012 Haskell field appears to be loaded with grade one stakes winners Bodemeister, Union Rags, and Dullahan all pointing for the race.Read More

Show All 21 Comments
BrianZipse · Could be the best Haskell in years ... wish I was going! · 358 days ago ·

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jmac500 · He's Horrible on dirt, just saying. · 358 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I thought Union Rags was going to the Travers. I can't see him running in both the Haskell and the Travers. · 358 days ago ·

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Dressage3295 · Horrible doesn't place you 3rd in the Derby · 358 days ago ·

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travel_vic · MANY colts go in the Haskell Travers double · 358 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · The reason he isn't winning on dirt is not because he isn't good enough. · 358 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Dullahan, and I will REPEAT what I discovered long ago, has a turf profile. A water skier woud look reidiculous on ice skates too. · 358 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Yes, Dullahan LIKE ALL CLOSERS would run better on turf and polytrack and Tapeta(?), but he is not incapable on dirt, he is like Einstein and will be able to win big races on all surfaces. · 358 days ago ·

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jmac500 · When they double they usually falter in one of the races. By the way Caleb's Posse wouldn't run better on Turf, so not all closers! · 358 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · There are always exceptions. · 358 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Horses that fit the style of turfers have a characteristic running style where their final fraction velocity is usually equal to or great than their 2nd ...This horse and his prominence on artificial surfaces screams out TURF TURF · 358 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · Sure wish they would point Dullahan towards the American Derby or Virginia Derby instead...he just strikes me as being a potentially really nice turf colt... · 358 days ago ·

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Capper · I agree, they need to move this horse to the turf if they want any chance of taking down graded stakes races. · 357 days ago ·

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flipaswitch · At least run him on synthetic tracks since he has proven on the surface. · 357 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · I'm excited to watch him race on dirt again. His Derby suggests there is potential there, so give him another shot. This is one reason I like Romans, if he sees potential in his horses, he gives them the shot to succeed. Although I do hope there is a 3yr old turf showdown with Silver Max, Summer Front, and Dullahan in the future · 357 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Matz photo looks like it was taken in the clubhouse at Saratoga · 356 days ago ·

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wcbguy1 · gonna be great to watch these top horsers race in the haskell · 352 days ago ·

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travel_vic · these big late movers often look better than they are when the pace up front falls apart. People mistake a postional move against a dying pace as a really effective move time wise. · 352 days ago ·

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travel_vic · I'll wager this one winds up doing much better on grassy footing. · 352 days ago ·

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wcbguy1 · even though i've been only been watching horse racing for about 8 months now, i'm still not sure if this is dullahan can win this one, since he horrible on dirt. I think Union Rags will take this one. · 346 days ago ·

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TimSmith · 3rd in the derby..not horrible... just not his best surface. · 346 days ago ·

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1:29 PM

Union Rags breezed a 5f bullet in 1:00.60 (1/7) at Fair Hill on July 6.

Show All 0 Comments

Teeth of the Dog Could Target Jim Dandy

Trainer Michael Matz reported this morning that Teeth of the Dog, determined winner of Saturday’s Grade 2 Dwyer, was enjoying the first day of his summer vacation at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Md.Read More

Show All 1 Comments
bronzeprincess33 · I was impressed with this horse's last race. I look forward to watching him run. · 351 days ago ·

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More Comments

Top Horses

Lifetime

2013

2012

Current top horses in the wiki.

Union Rags (USA - 2009)

Barbaro (USA - 2003)

Morena (PER - 2004)

Round Pond (USA - 2002)

Visionaire (USA - 2005)

And Why Not (USA - 2009)

Somali Lemonade (USA - 2009)

Street Sounds (CAN - 2004)

Kicken Kris (USA - 2000)

Chelokee (USA - 2004)

Trainer Michael R. Matz - Race Results & Past Performances

[Add Race Result]

Date

Horse

Fin

Jockey

Dist.

Sf.

Race

Cnd

1st

2nd

3rd

Time

06/15/13

2nd

1 1/8 m

3+ F

1:51.21

06/08/13

3rd

1 1/16 m

3+ F

0:00.00

06/07/13

Keri Keri

1st

F Geroux

1 mile

Claim

3+ F

Keri Keri

Betterlegsonatable

Foundation

1:44.32

06/02/13

Thus

1st

S Martinez

1 mile

Claim

3+ F

Thus

Joy Filled

My Princess Dawn

1:39.32

06/02/13

Somali Lemonade

4th

J Velazquez

Bel

1 1/16 m

AlwOC

3+ F

Trophy Wife

Free as a Bird

Mariel N Kathy

1:40.39

05/31/13

Hanuman

6th

V Lebron

6 f

Claim

3+ M

Appealing Image

Turn And Run

Jaypeezee

1:12.11

05/31/13

Subpoena

2nd

J Bravo

Mth

1 1/16 m

Claim

3+ F

Will To Shine

Subpoena

Raro

1:42.29

05/27/13

Timezone

3rd

N Arroyo

1 1/16 m

AlwOC

3+ F

Cozze Up Lady

Dame Marie

Timezone

1:42.75

05/25/13

Judge Wylie

5th

F Boyce

Pim

1 1/16 m

Claim

3+ M

A. P. Cino

Imoratas

Kay One

1:47.19

05/25/13

3rd

1 3/8 m

3+ F

2:20.17

05/24/13

Quinte West

5th

J Stein

6 1/2 f

MSW

3+ F

Akron Moon

Daylight Cat

Send An Angel

1:17.24

05/23/13

Helluva Hunch

7th

J Leyva

Crc

1 1/16 m

Allow

3 F

Swinger's Party

K. O.'s Touch

Creative License

1:47.41

05/18/13

In My Eyes

4th

D Cohen

Bel

1 1/16 m

Allow

3+ M

Jonrah

Make A Decision

Lawyer Jim

1:43.71

05/18/13

Nokaze

4th

G Stevens

Pim

1 1/16 m

Allow

3+ F

Joy

Hold Our Destiny

Marataya's Tune

1:41.74

05/16/13

Hanuman

5th

O Rossi

5 1/2 f

Claim

3+ M

Fast And Frugal

Dr. Bill

Soloman's Gold

1:05.24

05/15/13

Bramley

5th

J Bravo

Bel

1 1/8 m

MSW

3+ F

Precarious

Arriba Anna

Neolexia

1:50.65

05/09/13

Space Race

4th

J Bravo

Bel

1 1/16 m

Claim

3+ M

Scotus

Sovereign Default

Romancing the Gold

1:43.14

05/04/13

In My Eyes

9th

E Castro

Bel

1 1/16 m

Allow

3+ M

Front

Toy Cannon

Gossip Column

1:42.13

05/02/13

Parasol

8th

L Saez

Bel

7 f

Claim

3+ F

Bluegrass Rumor

Hoopskirt

Mess in a Dress

1:23.57

04/27/13

Thus

4th

R Homeister

Haw

1 1/16 m

Allow

3+ F

Mulata

Lookinatmindy

Cherishd Obsession

1:50.97

Page 1 of 47 (935 items)

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[All News]

Page 1 of 16

Colonial Flag Ready to Begin Campaign in Mint Julep

Colonial Flag was given time off following her third-place finish behind Centre Court and Leading Astray in the Mrs. Revere (GII) at Churchill Downs i...

Pianist Takes Control in Gallorette

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Hard Not To Like Seeks More GP Turf Glory

After returning victoriously from an eight-month layoff last month, Hard Not to Like will seek her second turf stakes victory of the Gulfstream Park ...

Hard Not To Like Takes Marshua's River

Hard Not to Like hardly looked like a horse that hadn’t run in eight months when she bravely slipped through a small opening along the inside rail in ...

Romacaca South Beach Favorite

Frank Calabrese’s 6-year-old mare Romacaca is a veteran Graded turf stakes performer with earnings of more than $850,000 and appears to be a solid fa...

Matz Searches for Another Union Rags

Mornings at Palm Meadows Training Center are considerably less hectic this season for Michael Matz, who trained high-profile Triple Crown prospect Un...

Colonial Flag, Somali Lemonade Arrive at CD

800x600 Colonial Flag and Somali Lemonade arrived at Churchill Downs from their base at Fair Hill in Maryland early Thursday morning and will give tr...

Derby Trends: BC Juvenile-Kentucky Derby Double

The Road to the Kentucky Derby never stops. Moreover the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has been decided so it’s time to switch gears towards the first ...

Matriarch Likely for Dayatthespa

“Winning a Grade 1 at Keeneland – it doesn’t get any better than that,” said Steve Laymon this morning about Dayatthespa’s front-running, two-length v...

Alpha 5-2 Choice in Competitive Jim Dandy

Eight evenly matched 3-year-olds hoping to step into the void left by the stars of the Triple Crown will gather at Saratoga Race Course Saturday afte...

Page 1 of 16

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Michael R. Matz

What the Nation is saying about Trainer Michael R. Matz...

Top Horses

Trainer Michael R. Matz - Race Results & Past Performances

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Race Results & Past Performances