His stock is rising again based on strong workouts following a third-place finish in the Florida Derby. The big bay colt — he measures nearly 17 hands (that's about 68 inches tall) — is the 9-2 second choice, and trained by Michael Matz. Of course, Matz was the trainer of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, who tragically broke down after the start of the Preakness and was euthanized eight months later. Union Rags, who won the Fountain of Youth in his only other start this year, should stalk the pace out of the No. 4 post and be just behind the leaders before jockey Julien Leparoux makes his move for the front.
Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel