Union Rags favorite for Florida Derby

UNION RAGS, the Kentucky Derby favorite with the Philly-area connections, was made the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Union Rags, coming off a 4-length victory in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 26 at Gulfstream, will start from Post 6.

"I think he should take a step forward from [the Fountain of Youth]," trainer Michael Matz said. "I would hope that having a race under his belt would help him in the Florida Derby."

Union Rags is owned by Chadds Ford Stable's Phyllis Wyeth, of Chester County, and trained by Matz, who trained Barbaro.

Julien Leparoux will again ride after taking over the mount in the Fountain of Youth.

His toughest competitor should be Risen Star winner El Padrino, the 2-1 second choice that will start from Post 8 in the nine-horse field.

Union Rags put in a solid 4-furlong workout in 49.10 seconds at Palm Meadows last Saturday.

Here is the field for the 1 1/8- mile race, from the inside post position with morning line odds: Fort Louden, 20-1; News Pending, 8-1; Take Charge Indy, 5-1; Neck 'n Neck, 20-1; Z Camelot, 50-1; Union Rags, 6-5; Bartolome, 30-1; El Padrino, 2-1; Reveron, 12-1.

News Pending, at 27-1, was second to Union Rags in the Fountain of Youth.