Kentucky Derby 2012: Trainer Michael Matz Gives Union Rags Winning Edge

They often say that it's not what you know, but who you know that counts, so based on that premise it's easy to see why Union Rags is one of the favorites to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

The Derby is one of the most prestigious events in sports, and it's definitely the cream of the crop as far as horse racing is concerned. Win the derby once and you go down with some of the all-time greats.

The problem is it's much easier said than done.

Union Rags' trainer, Michael Matz, has caught lightning in a bottle once before—back in 2006 when he watched Barbaro cross the finish line first—and it's that experience that will give his new horse a winning edge in 2012.

Sometimes, you can just look at a horse and see a winner. Perhaps it's not seeing it, but feeling it.

According to quotes from Matz via Beth Harris of the Associated Press on Boston.com, Union Rags reminds him a bit of Barbaro:

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He sees the same promising signs from Union Rags, who is using the same stall as Barbaro and is the early second choice for Saturday’s 138th Derby.

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“They’re both big, good-looking, fast, and athletic. Union Rags still has to live up to what Barbaro did,’’ Matz said.

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As most know by now, there's so much more to the story of Barbaro than that '06 win at the Derby, but it's the comparison in looks and talent that have many people excited for Union Rags.

Until the devastating injury at the Preakness Stakes, Barbaro was one of the more impressive horses we have ever seen in the sport. Most of that is just the way the horse was, but I can't help but believe that the trainer, Matz, had much to do with the success that Barbaro had.

Like I said, sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know. I'm not sure if that saying applies to both horses and people, but for the time being it looks like Union Rags has the right combination.

He looks like a winner, he runs like a winner and he's trained by a winner.