2012 Kentucky Derby: Union Rags's post okay after all, Matz says

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - At first, trainer Michael Matz wasn’t so thrilled with Union Rags's draw of post 4 for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, believing he might be down too far inside. But upon further review, Matz thinks it might not be such a bad post after all.

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Noting that two of the three horses drawn inside of him - Daddy Long Legs and Optimizer - and the horse drawn immediately to his outside - Dullahan - are void of speed, Matz expects jockey Julien Leparoux to be able to get Union Rags away from the gate in good order find a good position just behind the speed.

“Julien’s going to have come and let him run a little bit, but I don’t think that’s the worst thing in the world,” Matz said. “My original thought, I wasn’t crazy about it, but the way everybody is, I don’t think it’s so bad.”

On Friday, Matz was all smiles after Union Rags had a solid gallop over the Churchill main track in which he wanted to go get the horses that were galloping in front of him.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Matz said. “He needs to run.”[bc_video_id:250756:]