Materiality Retired

Alto Racing’s Materiality (Afleet Alex–Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr) has been retired from racing due to a soft tissue injury he sustained while training. Stallion arrangements have not been finalized yet for the GI Florida Derby hero.

“Materiality was a very special racehorse, winning from 6 furlongs to 1 1/8m against the best of his generation,” said Alto Racing’s bloodstock advisor Steven W. Young. “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.”

A debut winner sprinting at Gulfstream Jan. 11, Materiality was tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after an impressive victory jumping from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles in the Islamorada H. in Hallandale next out Mar. 6.

The speedy bay returned just three weeks later to annex the Florida Derby Mar. 28 and was sixth after a troubled beginning in the GI Kentucky Derby May 2. Off the board last time out in the GI Belmont S. June 6, Materiality retires with three wins from five starts and earnings of $686,028.

“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.”

Young purchased Materiality, who was a $260,000 KEESEP yearling, on behalf of Alto Racing for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds In Training sale last term after he worked a fulong in :10.2. A half-brother to last year’s GII Gazelle S. winner and GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song), the bay also hails from the family of GI Travers S. winner Afleet Express (Afleet Alex).