Frank Angst 9y

Materiality wins Florida Derby

Horse Racing

In his graded stakes debut, Alto Racing's Materiality proved up to the challenge as he outlasted Grade 2 winner Upstart in an extended duel and scored a 1-1/2-length victory in the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby on Saturday, March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

A son of dual classic winner Afleet Alex, Materiality picked up his third win in as many starts in Saturday's 1-1/8-mile race. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who earned his second straight Florida Derby win and third overall, Materiality won a maiden special weight event in January at Gulfstream before taking the Islamorada Handicap March 5 at the South Florida track.

On Saturday in the biggest start of his young career, Materiality and Holy Bull Stakes winner Upstart drew off from the other seven 3-year-olds in the far turn as they battled into deep stretch, thrilling the crowd. Materiality finally separated himself from Upstart near the sixteenth pole.

Racing inside of Upstart, Materiality drifted out in the stretch but there was no inquiry or objection after the race. In his previous start, Ralph Evans' Upstart finished first in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. I) but was disqualified for stretch interference and placed behind Itsaknockout.

Materiality completed the 1-1/8 miles in 1:52.3 on a fast track. Ami's Flatter finished well behind the top two finishers, 12-1/2 lengths behind Upstart, to secure his first grade I placing while Itsaknockout followed in fourth.

In the Islamorada Materiality defeated stablemate Stanford, who on Saturday ran second in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots after leading that race into the stretch.

Materiality returned $5.60 to win, $3 to place, and $2.40 to show. Upstart, who was sent off as the even-money favorite, returned $2.60 and $2.20, while Ami's Flatter paid $3 to show.

Pletcher won the Florida Derby with Constitution last year and Scat Daddy in 2007. The bay colt was guided to victory by John Velazquez, who also earned his third Florida Derby win after taking the key prep race aboard Orb in 2013 and Quality Road in 2009.

The Florida Derby is a 100-40-20-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points race, ensuring the winner enough points to qualify for a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby. Upstart also has secured enough points.

Bred in Kentucky by John Gunther, Materiality is out of the Langfuhr mare Wildwood Flower, who also has produced Grade 2 winner My Miss Sophia.

This story will be updated with quotes and detail.

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