After the Auction: Jake's Magic Hat

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. This is the twelfth edition in a blog series called “After the Auction” that will feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

The average sale price at the 2013 OBS March Sale was $158,632. For nearly $70,000 less than that, one could have acquired Jake’s Magic Hat – a colt that, less than four months later, would earn nearly half of his purchase price in his very first start, proving to be a smart buy.

Catching my eye with a 10 3/5-second breeze in the preview show for the sale, Jake’s Magic Hat joined my auction selections due to the athleticism he displayed in that work. Just over three months later, the bay two-year-old made his debut, contending with five other juveniles in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park.

After breaking in the air and making contact with the horse to his outside, the tall bay was asked by jockey Jose Lezcano to move closer to the front. The colt responded, finding a position just behind the leaders as he tracked the pace. He and the leaders widened their lead on the others and near the end of the far turn, Lezcano guided Jake’s Magic Hat to the outside, allowing the colt to begin his rally.

As a result of running greenly, Jake’s Magic Hat required straightening by Lezcano, but the colt commenced his run nonetheless, striking to the lead in late stretch. Without much effort, the flashy, blaze-faced bay drew away from his competitors, taking the race by 2 ¼ lengths in a good final time of 57.57 seconds.

Jake’s Magic Hat is a son of the young Tiz Wonderful, whose offspring have impressed many, especially in terms of looks. Since entering stud in 2009, Tiz Wonderful has sired the likes of the graded stakes-winning My Happy Face, the group stakes-placed Tiz Tremendous, and the stakes-placed runners Scammony and Tiz Fitting. Tiz Wonderful is a son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) victor Tiznow, who has concluded three of the past five years with a top twenty ranking among the best sires in North America.

The dam of Jake’s Magic Hat, Tico Breeze, is sired by Carson City, thus providing Jake’s Magic Hat with the same broodmare sire as the grade one winners Barbaro, Havre de Grace, Lear’s Princess, and Rail Trip. The Tiznow/Carson City sire line cross on which Jake’s Magic Hat was bred has proven successful, as it is the same one that produced the grade one-winning Bullsbay, as well as the stakes-winning Lady Chace and the graded stakes-placed horses Big Tiz and Tiz to Dream.

Jake’s Magic Hat descends from a strong Maryland dam line, which includes his fifth dam, Golden Spike. A daughter of Secretariat’s half-brother, Sir Gaylord, Golden Spike is the dam of the multiple grade one-winning Track Barron. Jake’s Magic Hat’s eighth dam is La Chica, a brilliant broodmare whose progeny include the champion El Chico, who was unbeaten as a juvenile. Thus, Jake’s Magic Hat’s tail female line is the same one that produced the legendary champion Native Dancer, as the Hall of Famer and influential sire’s third dam is La Chica.

Becoming my first official selection from a 2013 two-year-old sale to garner a victory, Jake’s Magic Hat appears to have a very promising future. With a pedigree geared toward early success, bigger and better things could be waiting on the horizon for this colt.

Union Rags: Another Matz Superstar

With some paragraphs drawn from Derby Hopeful: Union Rags

The sun shone down on the crowd gathered at Churchill Downs as fans awaited the next race, the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI). Regally Ready had just flashed across the finish line en route to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (GII) and many people milled around the winner's circle following the race. Among those people was Michael Matz, whose brilliant juvenile colt, Union Rags, would run later that day in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI).

Meanwhile, I stood nearby with my family. I caught sight of Matz, who had been one of my favorite trainers since 2006, when he had trained the ill-fated Barbaro to a brilliant Kentucky Derby (GI) victory. Not only do I respect him for his brilliance at training, but I admire him for the talent he displayed in his Hall of Fame equestrian career and the courage and compassion he showed in saving the lives of four children after a plane crash in 1989.

Photo by Mary Cage

I clutched my program and a Sharpie and walked toward Michael Matz, asking him for his autograph. Very graciously, he smiled and signed beside Union Rags’ name in my program. Before parting ways, I wished him luck.

Of course, Union Rags fell just a head short to Hansen later that day in the Juvenile, drifting out in the stretch while closing. Though Hansen was presented the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male, many – including me – felt that Union Rags was the most talented juvenile of 2011.

The colt debuted at Delaware Park last July as one of seven first-time starters in the nine-horse field. Sent off at nearly 8-1, Phyllis Wyeth’s colt settled in seventh as the horses began their run down the backstretch in the five-furlong maiden special weight. Jockey Julian Pimentel asked the two-year-old to make his run around the far turn and Union Rags responded eagerly, making an impressive move as the juveniles grew closer to the homestretch. His powerful stride ate up ground as Pimentel urged the colt forward and with an imposing turn of foot, Union Rags swept past Jake N Elwood near the furlong pole to win by 1 ¾ lengths in a final time of 58.25. The final eighth of a mile was run in 12.14 seconds.

After his excellent debut, his connections pointed Union Rags to the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (GII) at the renowned Saratoga Race Course. Over a very sloppy track, Union Rags broke from the rail and raced alongside three other horses as the juveniles galloped along the backstretch. Ridden by Javier Castellano for the first time, the bay colt edged away with the favorite, Stat, as the two-year-olds entered the turn. The two ran neck and neck until the field reached the top of the stretch. Then Union Rags accelerated over the sealed track and drew away under Castellano despite drifting out badly in deep stretch. He crossed the wire 7 ¼ lengths ahead of the rest of the field, immediately appearing on plenty of watch lists, including mine.

To solidify his position as the leading two-year-old colt in the nation, Union Rags made his final start before the Breeders’ Cup in the esteemed Champagne Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park. As the juvenile colts galloped down the backstretch in the one-turn mile, Union Rags settled in mid-pack and was forced to take up slightly when he came in contact with Takes the Gold. He recovered quickly, quickening as the horses entered the final half-mile. Castellano guided the talented colt through traffic on the far turn, nearly taking the path along the rail until an opening appeared and the pair aimed for the lead on the outside. With his beautiful stride carrying him over fast track, Union Rags effortlessly opened up on the field and swept across the finish line with 5 ¼ lengths separating him and the others.

Photo by Mary Cage

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile seemed like his for the taking, but Hansen kept Union Rags from wearing the blanket of flowers in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle. Breaking from post ten in a thirteen-horse field, Union Rags broke smoothly and made his way to the middle of the pack. Due to his post position, the colt was forced to race very wide throughout the race. Castellano asked him for more speed as the two-year-old colts swept into the final turn and Union Rags responded, going widest of all. At the top of the stretch, it seemed as if he could catch the front-running Hansen, but he drifted out in the homestretch and finished a head behind Hansen before galloping out ahead of the winner.

Union Rags finished second in Eclipse Award voting for Champion Two-Year-Old Male, but was made the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He solidified that title on February 26 in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park. Though the race had lost much luster after the scratch of the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) winner, Algorithms, it also featured blossoming horses like the stakes-placed Casual Trick, the clear winner of two races at Calder in Csaba, the extremely impressive two-time winner in just as many starts in Discreet Dancer, the multiple stakes-winning Fort Loudon, the hard-knocking Neck ‘n Neck, and the promising News Pending. After breaking cleanly from the gate, Union Rags settled off the pace and though he was challenged at the end of the clubhouse turn by News Pending, he continued to rate under Julien Leparoux – who was riding him for the first time. Around the far turn, his long, powerful strides carried him to the lead, which would flourish into an effortless four-length victory in which the whip never touched him.

Of course, one of the major concerns revolving a Derby contender is the horse’s ability to stretch out. Though his pedigree does not scream distance, it does not restrict him to races under a mile and one-quarter, either.

His late sire, Dixie Union, was never considered much of a distance horse. Most of his victories came at a sprinting distance, though he won the nine-furlong Haskell Invitational Handicap (GI). However, the one time he attempted ten furlongs was in the 2000 Travers Stakes (GI), in which he did not rally strongly enough and finished fourth. Dixie Chatter, his multiple grade one-winning son, never won beyond a mile and one-sixteenth and Dixie Union’s brilliant grade one-winning daughter, Hot Dixie Chick, was never victorious at a distance longer than seven furlongs.

However, some Dixie Union offspring have shown affinity for distance. For instance, four of Grasshopper’s five wins came at one mile or farther and he lost to the Kentucky Derby-winning Street Sense by just a half-length in the ten-furlong Travers. Dixie Union also sired Gone Astray, a two-time winner at nine furlongs. In fact, those two nine-furlong wins by Gone Astray came in graded stakes races in which the horse looked capable of going an extra furlong.

Union Rags’ dam, Tempo, is by the influential sire, Gone West, a son of Mr. Prospector who won three graded stakes races at one mile or longer. He also sired many talented distance horses, such as Pacific Classic (GI, 10 furlongs)-winning Came Home, Belmont Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Commendable, Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Johar, and Pattison Canadian International Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)- and Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (GI, 12 furlongs)-winning Marsh Side. In addition, he is the sire of Elusive Quality, sire of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (GI)-winning Smarty Jones.

Tempo’s grandsire is Nijinsky II, winner of the 1970 English Triple Crown who sired many distance horses, including the winner of the 1986 Kentucky Derby and the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI, 10F) in Ferdinand, the winner of the 1983 Prix du Jockey Club (GI, 10.5F) and International Stakes (GI, 10.5F) in Caerleon, and the winner of the ten-furlong Canadian Maturity Stakes and Seagram Cup Handicap, the Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (GI, 12F), the Early Times Manhattan Handicap (GII, 10F), the Arlington Handicap (GII, 10F), and the Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (GI, 12F) in Sky Classic.

Tempo has also produced the stakes-placed Geefour, a full brother to Union Rags. Tempo is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-placed Dancing Devlette – who was capable of winning at nine furlongs – and the multiple ungraded stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Marry Me Do – who was also successful at nine furlongs. Through Tempo, Union Rags hails from female family number thirteen, the same family that produced the winner of the 1977 Triple Crown, Seattle Slew.

Though Union Rags’ pedigree may give one reason to doubt his ability to get the Derby distance, the colt has undeniable heart and brilliance. His long, authoritative stride shows that Union Rags could likely handle more ground, as does the way he effortlessly pulls away from fields.

You can always find at least one fault in a Derby contender. Union Rags has his own share of them, most notably the room for doubt in his pedigree as far as stamina is concerned. However, he has arguably been the most impressive horse on the Kentucky Derby trail yet this year. Racings fans have every right to be excited about him. Michael Matz has already had a horse in his stable that captured the hearts of racing fans; who's to say he can't have another one?

Union Rags
Photo: Terri Cage

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Derby Hopeful: Creative Cause

In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.

In the perfect San Diego weather, a stunning gray colt flashed across the synthetic track at Del Mar. TVG analysts had been raving about the juvenile all day long and I found myself eager to catch sight of him for the first time, though it would only be on a television screen. Nonetheless, his effortless strides impressed me as he swept to victory in his graded stakes debut. Creative Cause had just won the Best Pal Stakes (GII).

The gray two-year-old had only made one prior start, a five-furlong maiden special weight over Hollywood Park's all-weather surface. He'd galloped his way to a 4 3/4-length triumph in a final time of 56.90 seconds. Needless to say, he garnered the attention of many with that win and even more when he crossed the wire successfully next out in the Best Pal.




Creative Cause
Photo: Terri Cage


A month later, trainer Mike Harrington ran the colt in the Del Mar Futurity (GI). Creative Cause emerged from the starting gate as if he had been shot out of a cannon before settling off the leaders. His rally in the stretch was not as breathtaking as it had been in his previous two starts, but he still appeared to be in contention in mid-stretch. However, he was squeezed by Majestic City and Drill just before the wire and crossed the finish line in third before being bumped up into second.

He returned to his winning ways in the Norfolk Stakes (GI) in his following start, in which he made his dirt debut. After breaking cleanly from the gate, the gray colt found a stalking position in second for the majority of the race before pouncing to the lead near the end of the far turn. He continued to advance from there, striding along to a 3 1/4-length score.

Creative Cause competed against the best juveniles in the world on dirt in his subsequent race, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI). As usual, the Mike Harrington trainee settled off the pace before making his move on the far turn. Forgotten by many due to the thrilling battle between Union Rags and eventual winner Hansen, Creative Cause ran a game third, beaten just over a length.

It is clear that Creative Cause has racing talent, but his aptitude does not come to a halt there. He is also bred for success and to go the distance.

His sire, Giant's Causeway, was the 2000 European Horse of the Year and has since found himself in the top ten on the leading sires list seven times, topping the list twice. He, a horse that won at ten furlongs multiple times himself, is capable of producing routers. For instance, he is the sire of Giant Oak - winner of the Clark Handicap (GI, 9F) and Donn Handicap (GI, 9F), runner-up in the Washington Park Handicap (GIII, 9.5F) and Hawthorne Gold Cup (GII, 10F), and third-place finisher in the Breeders' Cup Marathon (GII, 14F). He has also produced Swift Temper, winner of the Delaware Handicap (GII, 10F), and Heatseeker, winner of Santa Anita Handicap (GI, 10F).

The dam of Creative Cause, Dream of Summer, was a very prosperous racehorse in her own right. She at one time won five races in a row, including the A Gleam Invitational Handicap (GII, 7F), the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (GIII, 6.5F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap (8.5F). Though that winning streak ended, Dream of Summer went on to win the Apple Blossom Handicap (GI, 8.5F) over champion Ashado, the Gardenia Handicap (GIII, 8F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap for the second year in a row.

Creative Cause hails from female family one, which is one of the most prolific families there is. This family has produced fourteen victors of the Run for the Roses, which ranks it second behind female family four in the number of Derby winners per family.

One major aspect other than track performances and pedigree that is important in the analysis of a Kentucky Derby contender is the conformation of the prospect. Creative Cause is not lacking in that department, either. Tying in well to his shoulder is his slender gray neck. His shoulder is long and sloping, causing him to be evenly balanced and to therefore possess a topline that is shorter in correlation to his underline. His impressive stride is aided by his long, powerful hip, which allows him to drive more from the hindquarters. He has long, quality muscling and stands on a straight, correct column of bone. Though he does not have perfect conformation, he definitely has the build of an athlete.

As one of the top juveniles of 2011, Creative Cause is already considered one of the top sophomores of 2012, though he will not start until February 19, when he makes his three-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. As long as Creative Cause can continue to build on his already impressive race record, there is no reason why he should not be considered one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 138.


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Derby Hopeful: Union Rags

In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.

Union Rags, the early Kentucky Derby (GI) favorite, was one of the most impressive juveniles of 2011. After winning his first three starts by a combined 14 ¼ lengths, Union Rags fell a head short to the fleet Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). Yet as the sun set on 2011, many felt that Union Rags was the best two-year-old of 2011.

Union Rags
Photo by Mary Cage

Most didn’t expect to see the early Kentucky Derby favorite in the seventh race at Delaware Park on July 12, 2011, let alone did they assume it would be Union Rags – one of seven first-time starters in the nine-horse field. Sent off at nearly 8-1, Phyllis Wyeth’s colt settled in seventh as the horses began their run down the backstretch in the five-furlong maiden special weight. Jockey Julian Pimentel asked the two-year-old to make his run around the far turn and Union Rags responded eagerly, making an impressive move as the juveniles grew closer to the homestretch. His powerful stride ate up ground as Pimentel urged the colt forward and with an imposing turn of foot, Union Rags swept past Jake N Elwood near the furlong pole to win by 1 ¾ lengths in a final time of 58.25. The final eighth of a mile was run in 12.14 seconds.

After his excellent debut, trainer Michael Matz – most famous in horse racing for training the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro – pointed Union Rags to the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (GII) at the renowned Saratoga Race Course. Over a very sloppy track, Union Rags broke from the rail and raced alongside three other horses as the juveniles galloped along the backstretch. Ridden by Javier Castellano for the first time, the bay colt edged away with the favorite, Stat, as the two-year-olds entered the turn. The two ran neck and neck until the field reached the top of the stretch. Then Union Rags accelerated over the sealed track and drew away under Castellano despite drifting out badly in deep stretch. He crossed the wire 7 ¼ lengths ahead of the rest of the field, immediately appearing on plenty of watch lists, including mine.

To solidify his position as the leading two-year-old colt in the nation, Union Rags made his final start before the Breeders’ Cup in the esteemed Champagne Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park. As the juvenile colts galloped down the backstretch in the one-turn mile, Union Rags settled in mid-pack and was forced to take up slightly when he came in contact with Takes the Gold. He recovered quickly, quickening as the horses entered the final half-mile. Castellano guided the talented colt through traffic on the far turn, nearly taking the path along the rail until an opening appeared and the pair aimed for the lead on the outside. With his beautiful stride carrying him over fast track, Union Rags effortlessly opened up on the field and swept across the finish line with 5 ¼ lengths separating him and the others.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile seemed like his for the taking, but a brilliant gray colt that had dominated Turfway Park kept Union Rags from wearing the blanket of flowers in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle. Breaking from post ten in a thirteen-horse field, Union Rags broke smoothly and made his way to the middle of the pack. Due to his post position, the colt was forced to race very wide throughout the race. Castellano asked him for more speed as the two-year-old colts swept into the final turn and Union Rags responded, going widest of all. At the top of the stretch, it seemed as if he could catch the front-running Hansen, but he drifted out in the homestretch and finished a head behind Hansen before galloping out ahead of the winner.

Union Rags may have lost the race, but he left a lasting impression on followers of the sport. He clearly has plenty of learning left to do, but he has already showed incredible racing ability. In addition, he has a spectacular pedigree that hints he will only get better.

Union Rags is inbred 3 X 4 to Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector, two of the most influential sires of all-time. His sire is the two-time grade one-winning Dixie Union, who was sadly euthanized in 2010 at age thirteen due to a worsening neurologic problem. The son of the outstanding Dixieland Band also sired the grade one winners Dixie Chatter and Hot Dixie Chick. The sire traced back to many influential sires such as Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, and Seattle Slew.

Union Rags
Photo: Terri Cage

Union Rags’ dam, Tempo, is by the incredible sire Gone West and out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Nijinksy mare Terpsichorist. Tempo is also the dam of the stakes-placed Geefour, Union Rags’ full brother. Tempo is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-placed Dancing Devlette and the multiple ungraded stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Marry Me Do.

In addition to his spectacular racing talent and pedigree, Union Rags is very athletically built. The bay colt has a very intelligent face, as well as a clean throatlatch and thin neck. He has a very strong shoulder and its angle allows him to be a very well-balanced individual. He has a strong topline, which is shorter in correlation to a longer underline, which in part allows him to be easily divided into even thirds. He is very structurally correct, possessing short, sturdy cannon bones and very straight legs and angular pasterns.

Union Rags brings to the table all that you want to see in a racehorse. There have already been comparisons to Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner that is the horse for which Matz is most famous for training. This is a brilliant colt and he is definitely the rightful early Kentucky Derby favorite.

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Screaming for Hansen

The 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) was supposed to be all about Union Rags, but a certain silver “freak” changed that. In a thrilling stretch battle, Hansen defeated Union Rags by a head.

Photo by Mary Cage

Prior to the race, I felt that both colts and the eventual third place finisher, Creative Cause, all had the potential to be superstars. However, it was Union Rags that had my attention. Earlier on the card, I had met the colt’s trainer, Michael Matz, who is one of my favorite trainers in all of horse racing. I admire Michael Matz greatly, so I approached him and asked him for his autograph. Very kindly, he smiled and signed next to Union Rags’ name in my program. I wished him good luck before we parted ways.

It was Union Rags I was cheering for as the horses paraded in front of the grandstand before the Juvenile. As I stood by my seat as the horses approached the starting gate, a large group of people suddenly appeared and surrounded the area where my family and I were. They were dressed very nicely and the colors yellow and blue could be found in their outfits. I didn’t think much of it; I just figured they had come down closer to the rail to watch the race. As long as they didn’t impede my vision, I was fine with them being there.

As soon as the field broke from the gate, the group let out a deafening roar. My hands immediately went to my ears, but I dropped them a second later as I focused on the two-year-olds galloping past the grandstand for the first time. As Hansen took the lead, the group of people behind me grew loud again, their voices pounding in my ears. Throughout the entire clubhouse turn, the group screamed at the top of their lungs. They quieted down a bit when the horses reached the backstretch, though a murmur rippled over them. Hansen was still on the lead while Creative Cause sat off the frontrunners and Union Rags galloped along mid-pack.

“Is he still up front?” someone in the group asked.

“Yes,” another group member replied.

Hansen
Photo by Mary Cage

That’s when I figured it out. They were wearing blue and yellow (the colors of Hansen’s silks), they screamed as Hansen took the lead, and they were talking about the horse up front. They either were big fans of the colt, they had bet a lot of money on him, or they were his connections. Maybe they were all three.

When the horses turned for home, the entire crowd at Churchill Downs grew noisy, but the group near me was absolutely deafening. As Union Rags closed on the outside and Hansen fought to keep the lead, the group’s cheering was earsplitting. It was quite conflicting to be standing there. The group was obviously rooting for Hansen, as was my mother, but I cheered on Union Rags, though a piece of me was pulling for Hansen as well. After all, I’d told the pizza man just a few days earlier to pick the colt.

The cluster of people groaned as Union Rags grew closer and they raised their voices even louder as the colts neared the finish line. When Union Rags and Hansen crossed the wire in a photo finish, the group began conversing nervously.

“I think he got caught.” someone said.

“No, I think he got it.” another argued.

“Hansen held on.” I murmured to my family.

I turned around, glancing at the group behind me. Some were smiling while others’ faces were pale with anxiousness. The woman closest to me was part of the latter.

“Who won?” she asked me.

“Hansen,” I replied.

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, I sure hope so. That’s my brother’s horse.”

Hansen entering the winner's circle
Photo: Terri Cage

Moments later, it was announced that Hansen was the winner. The group celebrated – loudly, of course – as they walked to the gate to the winner’s circle just a few feet away. I watched joyously as the group smiled with wide grins alongside the silver colt. Their bliss was infectious; I found myself beaming as they rejoiced in the winner’s enclosure under the Twin Spires.

The stirring stretch duel between Hansen and Union Rags was exactly what we need in horse racing. This could be the start of a great rivalry and if you throw in the likes of Creative Cause and many of the other two-year-olds of 2011, it looks to be a very talented crop. With very gifted colts going head to head as we approach the Triple Crown, the sport of kings could garner many new fans. Lively owners like Hansen’s connections and a class-act trainer like Michael Matz definitely don’t hurt either. As for me, I’ll never forget the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. My ringing ears won’t let me.

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile always stirs thoughts and hopes for the next Kentucky Derby. Now that Street Sense has broken the jinx, we hope that we will see the next Derby winner in the Juvenile. The two-year-old championship race evokes thoughts of what the talented colts can become, stirring up much excitement and hope for future champions. Last year, we saw the incredible Uncle Mo dominate the Juvenile. The 2011 edition has attracted a deeper field, from all parts of the country and even from other nations.

Here are my top four picks for the Juvenile:

1. Union Rags: This son of Dixie Union has plenty of star potential. Coming off of two dominant wins in New York graded stakes company, Union Rags looks to be the favorite for the Juvenile after his impressive first three starts, all of which were wins.

The trainer of the striking colt is Michael Matz, who is best known in the racing world for being the trainer of the late 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro. Matz placed the colt in a five furlong maiden special weight at Delaware Park on July 12. Sent off at nearly 8-1, Union Rags won by nearly two lengths in a final time of 58.25

In his next star, Union Rags made his graded stakes debut in the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (GII) at Saratoga. Over very sloppy going, Union Rags destroyed the field by over seven lengths. He returned on October 8 in the Champagne Stakes (GI) at Belmont. Facing a tougher field than he did in the Special, Union Rags still dominated, winning by 5 ¼ lengths in a good final time of 1:35.55 for a mile.

The colt’s most recent work came over the dirt at Fair Hill, when he worked five furlongs in 1:00.80. This colt is extremely talented and I believe he is a superstar in the making.

2. Creative Cause: This beautiful gray colt proved the best in the west this year, winning two graded stakes in southern California. Most recently, he dominantly won the Norfolk Stakes (GI) at Santa Anita. Creative Cause has won three of four starts. His only loss came in the Del Mar Futurity (GI), in which he was involved in a bumping incident in late stretch.

Creative Cause has only raced on the dirt once, but it was a very successful race. That race was his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, the Norfolk. After sitting second most of the race, Creative Cause went on to win by 3 ¼ lengths in a hand ride. Despite easy handling in late stretch, Creative Cause came home in 6.27 seconds for the final sixteenth.

With his last four works either being bullets or near-bullets, Creative Cause is training up to the Breeders’ Cup very well. The gorgeous gray leaves long-time trainer Mike Harrington breathless. Knowing that he can do that, I believe Creative Cause not only seems to have a bright future at the Breeders’ Cup, but also for races beyond November 5.

3. Hansen: As if we didn’t have enough star power in the top two, this underrated light gray colt packs plenty of it as well. The pasty gray son of Tapit has raced just twice. Both races have been wins and the combined winning margin of those victories is an incredible 25 ½ lengths.

Hansen has only raced at Turfway, where he dominantly won the Bluegrass Cat Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes last out after his crushing maiden victory. Though he has only raced on the Polytrack, trainer Mike Maker has been working the colt over dirt. Hansen’s most current workout was a 1:00.60 five furlong breeze, which garnered him a bullet work. He has not been tested yet and no one knows how good he truly is, but in my notes for this colt, the first thing that came to mind to write down about him was “a freak.”

4. Drill: He is still very green and needs to get his act together, but this son of the late Lawyer Ron has plenty of raw talent. After finishing eighth in a disappointing debut, Drill has not been out of the money. The Bob Baffert trainee is coming into his own.

After a maiden victory that proved he was green, Drill defeated the top California colts in the roughly run Del Mar Futurity. Creative Cause got the better of him next time out, defeating him soundly. Drill is training very well for Baffert, but will have to try his hardest in the Juvenile.

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