Florida Derby Winner Materiality Retired

Alto Racing LLC announced Aug. 7 that Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Materiality has been retired as a result of a soft tissue injury he sustained while training.



The 3-year-old son of Afleet Alex   retires with a record of three wins from five starts and $686,028 in earnings.



"Materiality was a very special racehorse, winning from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles against the best of his generation," said Alto Racing's bloodstock adviser Steven W. Young in a statement. "He is a good-looking individual and we expect the breeders will like him as much as we do. His Florida Derby remains the highest Beyer figure for a 3-year old this year."



"Materiality was a strong, robust horse with a great disposition," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He had sprinter speed with the ability to carry that speed to 1 1/8 miles."



Stallion arrangements have not yet been finalized.

Unraced at 2, Materiality won his first three career starts, all at Gulfstream Park, including the Islamorada Handicap and Florida Derby. In the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the colt missed the break and closed well to finish sixth. In the June 6 Belmont Stakes presented by DraftKings, which would become his final start, Materiality challenged eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah rounding the turn but wound up finishing last in the eight-horse field.



Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther, Materiality is out of the Langfuhr   mare Wildwood Flower, who also has produced My Miss Sophia, winner of the Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) before finishing second in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Materiality was purchased by Venture Six for $260,000 from the Glennwood Farm consignment to the Keeneland September yearling sale. Pinhooked by De Meric Sales into the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale of 2-year-olds in training, he was bought by Young for $400,000.