The power players in New York racing are rooting overwhelmingly for I’ll Have Another to win the Belmont Stakes and complete the Triple Crown, but a quick backstretch poll yesterday revealed a shock. They stand in awe of Union Rags, the flop of the season, and expect him to give the favorite the race of his life.
Here’s what some had to say:
KIARAN McLAUGHLIN
Trained 2006 Belmont winner Jazil.
“I’ll Have Another is the horse to beat. I’m pulling for him for many reasons, our industry could do with a Triple Crown winner and besides, I trained his mother. But if I was gambling, I’d probably bet against him because he will be odds on. Then I’d go to Union Rags and Dullahan. Either of them can upset.’’
JOHN PARISELLA
Trainer, who told Post readers in 2005 that Afleet Alex would win the Belmont by 10 lengths. He won by seven.
“I’m a Union Rags fan and I’m looking for the upset. If the Union Rags we saw last year shows up this Saturday he will do it. I like his workouts, he’s not as nervous as he used to be. Of course, if I’ll Have Another stands up, it could be walkover. The rest are groping at straws.’’
EDGAR PRADO
The jockey who rocked the establishment when he won the Belmont in 2002 with the 70-1 shot Sarava.
“I would love to be riding Dullahan. He’s fresh, he’s doing well, he’s ready. After him, Union Rags. I’ll Have Another has had two hard races, he had to fight hard to win the Preakness, now he’s got to go a mile and a half. Very tough to do.’’
RON ANDERSON
The sharpest jockey agent in the business, whose rider, Corey Nakatani, will ride long shot Optimizer.
“I think Optimizer is more a turf horse. There are only three horses in here. You’ve got to root for the favorite, but I think Dullahan is extremely interesting and so is Union Rags. But I’ll Have Another is training like a Marine. I see him ripping through here every morning, getting stronger and stronger, holding his weight, his coat looks good. It’s his race to lose.’’
ANGEL CORDERO Jr.
His epic ride on Bold Forbes to win the 1976 Belmont is part of Belmont lore.
“My rider, Johnny Velazquez, is riding Union Rags. Back in January I told Johnny our eastern horse would be Union Rags and our western horse would be I’ll Have Another. Both of them are very good. I wouldn’t mind riding either of them. Union Rags has had difficult trips. He was too far back in the Kentucky Derby. He needs to be closer. I think he will win.’’
SHUG MCGAUGHEY
The trainer who ruined Sunday Silence’s Triple Crown hopes, when his horse Easy Goer won the 1989 Belmont by eight lengths.
“I think I’ll Have Another is the best horse in the race. After he lost the Hopeful at Saratoga last year he has come back and won all these big races this year. That’s the mark of a very good horse.
“I’ve always been a Dullahan fan. I liked him in the Kentucky Derby. But I won’t be surprised if a long shot wins it. The trouble is I don’t know which one. In the end, the percentages against I’ll Have Another just say no. Eleven Triple Crown winners in 144 years? The percentages say no.’’
BILL BADGETT
Worked alongside the late Woody Stephens in four of his five Belmont wins.
“I’m rooting for a Triple Crown winner. I’ll Have Another has a big, legitimate chance of doing it. After that, I like Union Rags and Dullahan for the trifecta, but you’ve got to watch Union Rags in the paddock. He washes out all the time. . I’ve been watching Dullahan train. He’s got a very good chance.’’
HELIODORO GUSTINES
The 71-year-old former jockey who won the 1968 Belmont on Stage Door Johnny and won 21 races on the great Forego, including 18 graded stakes.
“I’m rooting hard for I’ll Have Another. It would be so good for the business. We need a shot in the arm.”
MICHAEL HUSHION
Trained 16 stakes winners in New York last year.
“I think we’re going to have a Triple Crown winner. I’ll Have Another is a very impressive horse. He looks great. His coat is great. He’s my pick. But the bad news is I haven’t been right in about 30 years. I think Dullahan is the horse he has to beat.”
CHAD BROWN
Trainer who will saddle long shot Street Life.
“A horse will have to run the race of his life to beat I’ll Have Another.”
GARY GULLO
The son of one of my all-time favorite trainers, the late Tommy Gullo, who is hitting at a nifty 25 percent right now.
“I love Union Rags. I’ve always felt he was the best 3-year-old around. He’s had a couple of rides that weren’t very good. The switch to Johnny Velazquez is going to fit him fine. He’s such a classy horse. I’d love to see a Triple Crown, but I think Union Rags is coming into the race better.
“As for I’ll Have Another, I love the way Doug O’Neill is training him. No fast breezes. He’s not over-cooking him. He’s coming to the race relatively fresh.”
LINDA RICE
The first female trainer to waltz off with a Saratoga title.
“I like I’ll Have Another. I think he’s a relatively fresh horse and I think he’ll get the distance. If Union Rags gets the right trip, he could show up with a big race. He’s a beautiful horse with a very attractive pedigree, he had tremendous numbers last year. New Yorkers are very big fans of this horse.”