Gulfstream Park: Union Rags still on the farm

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Among the more notable 2-year-olds who will be hoping to embark on the Kentucky Derby trail here at Gulfstream Park this winter is Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Union Rags. Trainer Michael Matz said Union Rags has been taking it easy on the Skara Glen Stables farm in Wellington, Fla., where he was scheduled to be ridden under tack for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup on Friday.

“He’s out in a half-acre polo field just enjoying himself,” said Matz. “The farm is located a few minutes from Palm Meadows, so I’ve been going out there to visit him after finishing up at the training center in the mornings. We’ll get a little base into him on the farm and probably bring him over to Palm Meadows around the first of the year. Obviously the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby would be our two goals for him this winter.”

One Sock Down one to watch

Another 2-year-old worth watching in the weeks ahead is One Sock Down, a son of Dehere, who ran to expectations in registering a 3 1/4-length victory in his debut at Gulfstream on Thursday. One Sock Down opened at 3-5 but eventually closed as the 8-5 second choice behind trainer Todd Pletcher’s equally regarded first-time starter Ecabroni, withstanding a race-long pace battle with the favorite before ultimately edging well clear in late stretch under jockey Paco Lopez.

One Sock Down is owned by the Fantasy Lane Stable and trained by Eddie Coletti Jr.

“He’s been training forwardly. He never missed a beat, although I will say when he was at Monmouth he got wiry and nervous after each work, which is why I backed down on him and did not run him over there,” said Coletti. “Since he’s been here he’s just settled. I think we’ll take it step by step and see what happens. We’ll try some 3-year-old stakes but I want to see how he comes out of this first.”