Afleet Alex Aims to Complete Own Triple Crown

When it comes to horse racing's classics, there are no second chances.

But sire Afleet Alex   will have an opportunity at the closest thing to a second opportunity May 2 when his undefeated son Materiality starts in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

In 2005 Afleet Alex delivered memorable victories in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes (both gr. I)  after he was tripped up in the first leg of the Triple Crown when he finished third in the Derby behind a pair of longshots in winner Giacomo   and runner-up Closing Argument  . Afleet Alex followed with a win by 4 3/4 lengths in the Preakness despite nearly falling in early stretch when bumped by eventual runner-up Scrappy T, and a Belmont in which he demolished his rivals by seven lengths.

Alto Racing's Materiality will try to become the first classic winner for his sire, and complete a Triple Crown of sorts for Afleet Alex. Materiality did not race at 2 but has quickly progressed this year, taking the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) in just his third career start.

Afleet Alex, who stands for $12,500 at Gainesway in Lexington, had a shot at two horses in this year's Derby but last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Texas Red was sidelined by a foot abscess. Other grade I winners for Afleet Alex include Iotapa, who won a pair of grade I races last year in Southern California; 2010 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Afleet Express  ; and 2009 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Dublin  .

Michael Hernon, director of sales at Gainesway, said Afleet Alex has a great mind and he passes that temperament on to his foals.

"You look at it and he had a great 2-year-old season and then to practically pick himself off the ground to win the Preakness before just dominating the Belmont," Hernon said. "He ran big in the Derby too but came up short after a rough trip."

Materiality, who is out of the stakes-winning Langfuhr   mare Wildwood Flower, who also has produced grade II winner My Miss Sophia, by Unbridled's Song, showed his potential from the start, selling for $260,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September and $400,000 as a 2-year-old at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic.

On the track Materiality won his maiden debut by 4 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park before stepping up to win the Islamorada Handicap by 5 3/4 lengths in just his second effort. Then he took things to the top level with his front-running Florida Derby score.

Hernon notes the rare combination of precociousness at 2 and classic prowess at 3 makes Afleet Alex an intriguing sire who often can lift a broodmare. Afleet Alex has a full book of 125 mares this year.

"He has already a proven stallion and his future's looking very bright," Hernon said.