Some bloodlines run really deep.
And we’re not even talking about the lineage of Union Rags, the No. 1 Kentucky Derby contender on The Associated Press’ opening Run to the Roses Top 10 list.
It’s the owner of the 3-year-old colt and her husband who have caught the attention of the racing world. And why not? Owner Phyllis Mills Wyeth is the daughter of the late Alice du Pont Mills, a thoroughbred owner and breeder, noted aviatrix, environmentalist, philanthropist, and prominent member of the du Pont family. Her husband is contemporary realist painter Jamie Wyeth, son of artist Andrew Wyeth, grandson of artist and illustrator N.C. Wyeth.
Mrs. Wyeth, though, almost ended up as Union Rags’ former owner. She sold the horse for $145,000 as a yearling, then dreamed she had to buy him back because his bloodlines trace back to horses owned by her family. To do so, she paid $390,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale early last year.
“It’s really an amazing story,” Jamie Wyeth has said. “The dream was that she really should own the horse in the family name. It turned out to be a pretty good bet.”
The listed owner is Chadds Ford Stable, a one-horse operation named for the Pennsylvania town where the Wyeths reside and is home to the Brandywine River Museum, where three generations of Wyeth works are on display.
Add Michael Matz — the trainer of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro — to the team, and racing could have quite a story line by the time the Derby at Churchill Downs rolls around on May 5.
Union Rags, by the way, has quite the resume himself: three victories, including the Saratoga Special and the Champagne, and a narrow loss to Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November.
Spending the winter in Florida, Union Rags is in training for his 3-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 26. He will be ridden by Julien Leparoux, who replaces regular rider Javier Castellano.
On Monday, Union Rags worked five furlongs in 1:03.08 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla., with Leparoux aboard for the first time.
Castellano gave up the ride on Union Rags to stick with Algorithms, who is No. 2 on this week’s Top 10 list.
There are three Derby preps this weekend — the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, the San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita on Sunday, and the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn next Monday.
One horse to watch in the Southwest is Reckless Jerry, owned by country music star Toby Keith. The colt has two wins in six starts, with runner-up finishes in two stakes races.
A total 398 3-year-olds were nominated for the Triple Crown races, a significant increase over last year’s total of 366. Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with 32 nominees — including Algorithms — for the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
1. Union Rags (Michael Matz, trainer; Javier Castellano, jockey): Won three in a row, including Champagne (G1) before losing to Hansen by head in BC Juvenile (G1). … Castellano looking for first Derby win. … Next start: Fountain of Youth (G2), Gulfstream, Feb. 26. … Derby future wager odds: 7-1.
2. Algorithms (Todd Pletcher, Castellano): Defeated 2-year-old champ Hansen in Holy Bull (G3) on Jan. 29. … Son of Bernardini 3-for-3 lifetime. … Next start: Fountain of Youth. … Odds: 12-1.
3. Hansen (Mike Maker, Ramon Dominguez): Stumbled at start of Holy Bull, had little left in stretch and finished second by 5 lengths. … Capped 3-for-3 2-year-old season with close win in BC Juvenile. … Son of Tapit headed to New York. … Next start: Gotham (G3), Aqueduct, March 3. … Odds: 26-1.
4. Liaison (Bob Baffert, Rafael Bejarano): The 3-2 favorite in Robert B. Lewis (G2) on Feb. 4 clipped heels with another horse in stretch and unseated rider. … Won 3-of-4 as 2-year-old, including CashCall Futurity (G1). … Next start: San Felipe (G2), Santa Anita, March 10. … Odds: 56-1.
5. Gemologist (Pletcher, Castellano): Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner 3-for-3 as he readies for 3-year-old debut. … Next start: Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Tampa Bay Downs, March 10 or Rebel (G2), Oaklawn Park, March 17. … Odds: 22-1.
6. Creative Cause (Mike Harrington, Joel Rosario): Strong third in BC Juvenile followed win in Norfolk (G1). … Training at Hollywood Park for 3-year-old debut. … Next start: San Vicente (G2), Santa Anita, Feb. 19. Odds: 17-1.
7. Discreet Dancer (Pletcher, Castellano): Won first two races by combined 15¼ lengths at Gulfstream. … Castellano says “It’s almost scary how good he is. He was quick out of the gate and just did everything right.” … Next start: Fountain of Youth. … Odds: 30-1.
8. Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin, Dominguez): Won Withers (G3) by 3¼ lengths. … With two winning preps this year, one more planned for Godolphin-owned colt before Derby. … Next start: Wood Memorial (G1), Aqueduct, April 7. … Odds: 19-1.
9. I’ll Have Another (Doug O’Neill, Mario Gutierrez): A $35,000 purchase, colt won Robert B. Lewis by 2¾ lengths at odds of 43-1. … Has two wins in four starts for owner J. Paul Reddam. … Next start: Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita, April 7. …Odds: 29-1.
10. Mr. Bowling (Larry Jones, Robby Albarado): Won Lecomte (G3) by a head Jan. 21. … Colt has three wins in five starts. … Next start: Risen Star (G3), Fair Grounds, Feb. 25. … Odds: 85-1.
Keep an eye on: Dullahan, Ever So Lucky, Fed Biz, Out of Bounds, Reckless Jerry.