Union Rags broke his maiden last July in the first attempt and the colt immediately made the jump to graded stakes racing. Not only did it take a swift step up in competition, it did so with great success. Following its maiden voyage Union Rags took first place at the Grade 2 Saratoga Special (August, 2011); it then moved on to the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park where it also earned a first place finish.

Union Rags, which will start Saturday’s Derby from Gate 4, suffered its first setback, so to speak, in November of 2011 when it fell short of Hansen in the 1 1/16 miles Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. The Dixie Union sired colt would not race again until February when it entered the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Union Rags returned to the winners circle after navigating the 1 1/16 miles dirt surface in 1:42.68.

Unfortunately for the colt it suffered its worst finish in its biggest event to date, the Grade 1 Florida Derby (March 31st), placing behind fellow Derby entrant Take Charge Indy and Reveron in the key prep race. Despite that unexpected result, most pundits are still expecting a solid performance from the colt on Saturday.

Union Rags pedigree and race history (four wins in six starts) are both favorable as its bloodlines include such champions as Secretariat, the aforementioned Dixie Union, and Count Fleet.

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Union Rags Odds 2012 Kentucky Derby Picks: Provided by Bovada.lv

Union Rags 5/1 (To Win the 2012 Kentucky Derby)