Materiality Romps in Debut for Pletcher

Trainer Todd Pletcher remained on a roll with maiden special success Sunday at Gulfstream Park, saddling first-time starter Materiality for a 4 ¼-length romp over a sloppy track. The 3-year-old son of Afleet Alex, who was sent to post in the fourth race as the 8-5 second choice, stalked the pace before drawing off in the stretch, negotiating six furlongs in 1:10.32.

“We were hopeful. We were a little concerned about the sloppy track, but the colt has trained well,” Pletcher. “Everything we’ve breezed him with he’s been right there. We’ve had some success in maiden races so far with horses we’ve worked him with. We thought we had a decent comparison and we were very pleased with him today.’

Materiality was purchased at sale by Alto Racing for $400,000 last May.

“He had some baby stuff. He came out of the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale and needed some time off after that,” Pletcher said. “He needed to get acclimated down here and get some training done and before you know it, it’s January.”

Pletcher said the Kentucky-bred colt would likely return in an allowance while stretching out.

Source: Gulfstream Park Communications