Hansen and Union Rags are both 2 terrific looking young colt's that the sky looks to be the limit for. Frankly though, I like Union Rags chances of squaring the ledger wit Hansen assuming they meet somewhere down the line in one of the Derby Preps before they go to CD in May? I don't envy the task that Michael Maker has with Hansen, because he's gonna have to teach this colt to sit back and rate behind speed. You can get by with bolting from the gate and going full bore for home in juvenile>>>
@luminatedgame yes i realize that fact, just didn't think they gave hansen enough credit, almost like they were at the point of disrespect . also its not like they were walking out there,hansen set respectable fractions and did all the work, and dug in gamly when asked.
If these same horses are in the 2012 Derby I would keep an eye on Dullahan. This horse was near the back the whole way and got thru traffic to finish 4th. The Derby might just give him enough room to catch the top 3 especially if he's a bit closer to the pace. If there is an upset it would be him.
I was at the finish line and this was the best race of the two days. What a finish!! Union Rags was 3 and 4 wide the whole way and in my opinion a better horse than Hansen. We'll see how Hansen handles the extra distance next year. If he continues to go wire-to-wire he won't win any of the triple crown legs. Union Rags is a monster and his running style suits him perfect to be a great 3 year old. But how many two years old's fail at 3? Time will only tell.
I'm not sure who I'm going for this year for the Derby, both Hansen and Union Rags are entered. I respect Hansen A LOT for staying the leader throughout the whole race, but with a few extra strides, Union Rags would of beat him. I love Union Rags for his speed, as well...so I have no idea who I'm gonna root for.
races, because you rarely go beyond a mile. With the BC Juvenile being one of the obvious exceptions. But once you get on the Derby trail, and the prep races start stretching out to 1-1/8, Hansen's running style that he's used up until now just won't work, IMO. You try to bolt from the gate and go pillar to post in something the Florida, Arkansas, or Louisiana Derby the way Hansen did in the BC Juvenile, and he'll be cooked by the time he hits the stretch. TJMO.
