Pletcher Begins Preakness Planning

Trainer Todd Pletcher revealed Tuesday that 'TDN Rising Stars' Materiality (Afleet Alex), Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) and Competitive Edge (Super Saver) were all under consideration for the May 16 GI Preakness S. Alto Racing's Materiality and WinStar and Stonestreet's Carpe Diem were sixth and 10th, respectively, in the May 2 GI Kentucky Derby; while Nancy Favreau, Kathy Psionos and Michael Tabor's Competitive Edge upped his unbeaten record to four with an easy victory in the GIII Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard. All three are currently stabled at Pletcher's Belmont base. 

“They went back to the track today and jogged and seemed to be in good order,” Pletcher said yesterday. “They'll go back to galloping tomorrow and we'll see how it goes.” He added, “Of the 3-year-olds we ran on Derby Day, the only one that we've definitely excluded from consideration for the Preakness is [Derby ninth-place finisher] Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid). That would leave Competitive Edge, Materiality and Carpe Diem. I wouldn't say they're probable, possible, unlikely or likely. We haven't excluded them from consideration.” 

Materiality, who won the first three starts of his career, including the GI Florida Derby Mar. 28, came flying late in the Derby after a poor start. 

“I was very pleased with the way he finished,” Pletcher said of the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic grad. “I was obviously disappointed with the start of the race. It kind of left him in a position where he had too much to do turning for home. I thought he ran very well. It's kind of frustrating to think what may have been had he gotten off to a better start. But he came out of it very well. He proved his class anyway.” 

Of Carpe Diem's disappointing finish as the 7-1 third choice, Pletcher offered, “He came out of it very well. The outcome was disappointing. He put himself in perfect position. He got a perfect trip, but I never felt truly confident watching him that he was handling the surface as well as he has others. Despite that, he seemed to be fighting on until the end and wasn't beaten too far.” 

Stonestreet and the Coolmore partners's Stanford (Malibu Moon), scratched from the Derby two days out, was not entered in Saturday's GII Peter Pan S. at Belmont, one of the spots he was being considered for. 
“We didn't feel like he was quite ready for the Peter Pan, so we're going to pass on that,” Pletcher said. “We'll see how he does this week and come up with a game plan.”