Pletcher Trio Breezes at Palm Beach Downs
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Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a trio of classics contenders to breeze on the training track at Palm Beach Downs April 11.
Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Materiality; Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Itsaknockout, who was fourth in the Florida Derby; and Louisiana Derby (gr. II) runner-up Stanford each turned in their first works since their most-recent outings, which all came March 28, and each worked in company.
Itsaknockout, paired with 2014 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Competitive Edge, the recent victor in the Tamarac Stakes who is targeting the Pat Day Mile (gr. III) May 2 at Churchill Downs, worked a half-mile :49.14. The duo covered the last quarter-mile in :23.41 without much urging.
"It was a good, progressive breeze," Pletcher said of the workout. "They picked it up as they went along and they galloped out well. I was happy with it."
Materiality followed, and the undefeated son of Afleet Alex worked in company with Stanford to record a :48.50 half-mile breeze. The two quickened in the second half of the work, covering their final quarter-mile in :22.50. Although they ran jointly, Materiality finished with a slight edge over his workmate.
"I thought both horses worked extremely well," Pletcher said. "They went off easy and finished up strongly. (They) galloped out great. Both seem to be moving very well."
With the first leg of the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands—set to kick off in three weeks, Pletcher said his contenders are showing him the things he looks for leading up to the spring classics.
"I look for the same kind of thing (I saw today)," Pletcher said. "I just hope that they continue to work well and do well. I'm really happy with the way all three of those horses, over all, are doing. Their appetites are good. They're moving well. They have good coats. They're showing us all the right signs."
Materiality, Itsaknockout, and Stanford will continue to train in South Florida and will record one more breeze at Palm Beach Downs before heading north April 21.
"They'll have one breeze at Churchill, probably on the Saturday before the (Kentucky) Derby," Pletcher said.