by Renee Israel
For many punters Union Rags is the horse to back in the 2012 Belmont
Stakes in New York on Saturday, because unlike the overwhelming
favourite I'll Have Another, if Union Rags wins, their payouts could be
substantial.
Dullahan is the second favourite after I'll Have Another, with Union Rags the
third favourite bat most online sportsbooks, and thus a canny betting choice for
horse racing fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
Union Rags Racing History
In the Kentucky Derby, Union Rags was the second favourite. However, jockey
Julien Leparoux got caught in the bunch up at the beginning of the race.
Ultimately he was able to salvage some pride by charging down the final stretch
and finishing seventh.
The same thing had happened in the Florida Derby earlier this year. Union
Rags had just recovered from an ailment going into the Kentucky Derby and
therefore owner Phyllis Wyeth and trainer Michael Matz decided not to enter
Union Rags in the Preakness Stakes.
Though Matz has not said so directly, it is clear that Wyeth and he are not
very happy with the way Leparoux has handled Union Rags. Before the Florida
Derby, Union Rags had an enviable record of four firsts and one second.
Therefore in the Belmont Stakes Union Rags will run under jockey John Velazquez.
Said Matz, "He's one of the top riders in New York. We hope he'll give him a
chance." Although Velazquez has a reputation for being aggressive early in
races, he has sufficient experience of riding any kind of horse and running any
kind of race. Velazquez rode Went the Day Well in the first to legs of the US
Triple Crown this year.
On his part Velazquez said that adjusting to a horse at the last minute would
not be a problem. He was speaking at a luncheon in New York City. Velazquez also
refused to blame Leparoux for the poor performance of Union Rags in the last two
races, adding, "Hopefully luck changes in Union Rags' way and hopefully he can
show the talent he's got."
Bet on Union Rags in Belmont Stakes
For the British punters the UK White Listed online betting sites have posted
odds for the Belmont Stakes. Ladbrokes, Bet365 and Paddy Power are excellent
sites. They are offering very similar odds, at least for the top three horses,
with greater variation down the line. The odds for the favourites at Ladbrokes
online and Bet365 online are as follows.
I'll Have Another 1/1
Dullahan 3/1
Union Rags 5/1
The odds at Paddy Power are as follows.
I'll Have Another 5/4
Dullahan 3/1
Union Rags 5/1
