Michael Matz
Michael Matz
Michael R. Matzis an American race horse trainer and former Olympic equestrian team member who was inducted into the show jumping Hall of Fame. He lives in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. As a trainer, he has scored two wins in the Classics, the 2012 Belmont Stakes with Union Rags and the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro. Matz also was named "person of the week" by ABC News for his heroism in saving four children from the crash of United Airlines Flight 232...
best confidence control gives good horse job olympic race starts type
He's the real deal. I think I have a very good horse. He's the type of horse that gives me that confidence he can do it. My job right now is to do the very best I can for him. One thing that's different from my Olympic experience, I was on the horse and had to do it myself. I have no control once the race starts now.
fresh hope horse saturday
I hope we have a fresh horse come the first Saturday in May.
guy people starting
If people wouldn't try to cheat, this would never happen. I don't want to be starting here when the other guy is starting up there.
answered asked hope later rather sooner sure
So far, he's answered everything that's been asked of him. I'm sure sooner or later he's going to get beat, but it hope it's later rather than sooner.
knocked
That's everyone's concern. In a 20-horse field, you can get knocked out before you get to the first turn. Nothing you can do about that.
ask needed quickly recovered
But he recovered quickly and did what he needed to do. What more can you ask for?
final touches
That's it. There's not that much more to do. Most of the final touches have been done.
crutch happen help hit hope plane thankful turbulence wife
I try not to think about it. The times you think about it are when you are on a plane and you hit some turbulence and you hope it doesn't happen again. Right now, you can't help but get on airplanes and fly. I'm just thankful my wife and I were OK. Then, you go on with life. You can't use that as a crutch not to do anything.
asked coming everybody fine questions seems worked
Everybody seems to have questions about this or that, but he's worked fine and done everything we've asked of him coming up to the race. He couldn't be better.
behind closer figures good himself naturally run sharp short spot
It's a short run to the first turn, but he should be able to put himself in a good spot right behind Sharp Humor, who figures to set the pace. Naturally I'd like to be closer to the inside, but it shouldn't be a problem.
problem spoken
All the horsemen I've spoken to, don't have a problem with it.
asking beside engines explain man plus sitting sort trying
The man sitting beside me was asking (about the races), so I was trying to explain it when one of the engines went, plus the hydraulics. After that, it was sort of every man for himself.
himself pace whether
All his races, he's been right off the pace and has been able to keep himself out of trouble. Whether he can do that in a 20-horse field, I don't know.