NEWS
Hansen holds off Union Rags in Juvenile to remain unbeaten
Posted: Saturday, November 05, 2011 5:43 PM
HANSEN
PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times
For video of the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile, click here.
by Teresa Genaro
It was a battle of unbeatens in the stretch run of the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and when they got to the finish line it was Hansen who remained undefeated while Union Rags suffered his first loss.
Making his first start on dirt after two dominant wins on Turfway Park’s synthetic Polytrack surface, Hansen led at every point of call, as he had in his previous two starts. He won those races by a combined margin of 25 ½ lengths, but eked out his Juvenile win by only a diminishing head.
The gray or roan Tapit colt opened up several lengths on the field early, setting testing fractions of :23.26 and :47.39, with longshot Speightscity tracking in second. Union Rags, entering the race off open-length victories in the Champagne (G1) and Three Chimneys Saratoga Special (G2) Stakes, ran wide around both turns as the 11-to-10 favorite, losing valuable ground that may have cost him the race. Closing quickly in the stretch from the middle of the track, he could not quite get to Hansen, who held on for the win.
Hansen completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.44 on a track rated as fast to prevail at 7.10-to-1 odds.
Hansen is owned by Kendall Hansen, M.D., and Sky Chai Racing and was bred by Hansen, who reportedly paid his way through his first year of medical school by betting on horse races. He named the horse after himself and his family, many of whom were at Churchill Downs for the race.
Jockey Ramon Dominguez, previously winless at this year’s Breeders’ Cup, joked about the pressure he felt to win the race. “When I saw that there were 60 people here, I said, ‘Oh, boy, I have to win this one.’ ”
Though Hansen had never raced on dirt, trainer Mike Maker said that he never considered any other race.
“We pointed to the Breeders’ Cup before he had ever run,” he said. “He’s a natural.”
Joyous at the victory, Kendall Hansen stooped and kissed the ground of the Churchill Downs winner’s circle, unabashedly hoping that he’d be doing the same thing in six months after the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Teresa Genaro is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Phil, Oklahoma City, OK on November 08, 2011 at 11:03 AM
He showed up big on my handicapping program so I swung for the fences & bet Hansen W/P then I boxed him, Union Rags, & Alpha on the exacta & won a big payoff!
I told my dad over the phone that this little gray horse is fast. If Michael Maker can train Hansen to be a stalker over the winter rather than a front-runner like he is now, I may have my horse for the Kentucky Derby next spring!
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Posted by: Ellen, Calgary, AB on November 08, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Can someone confirm if Hansen came out of the race okay? I saw pictures (maybe just reflection of the lights) and saw red on his lips and wonder if he bled or bit his tongue? Great race by both of them. Had Union Rags not drifted a little in the stretch this would be his, not to take anything from Hansen. Looking forward to the Triple Crown season next year. Hope both of these horses stay healthy and Creative Cause and others I rooted for here. Secret Circle among others.
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