Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a trio of GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls for Saturday morning breezes at Palm Beach Downs, including unbeaten GI Besilu Stables Florida Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Materiality (Afleet Alex), GII Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S. winner via disqualification and Florida Derby fourth-place finisher Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid), and GII Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford (Malibu Moon).
Starlight Racing's Itsaknockout, paired with recent Tamarac S. winner and unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Competitive Edge (Super Saver), who is targeting the Pat Day Mile May 2, worked a half-mile :49.06. The duo covered the last quarter mile in :23.41 without much urging.
“It was a good, progressive breeze,” Pletcher said. “They picked it up as they went along, and they galloped out well. I was happy with it.”
Materiality and Stanford worked in company as well, stopping the clock for four furlongs in :48.41. The two quickened in the second half of the work, covering their final quarter mile in a brisk :22.50. Materiality finished with a slight edge over his workmate.
“I thought both horses worked extremely well,” Pletcher said. “They went off easy and finished up strongly, galloped out great. Both seem to be moving very well.”
Pletcher is currently pleased with how his Derby contenders have been training.
“I look for the same kind of thing [that I saw today],” Pletcher said. “I just hope that they continue to work well and do well. I'm really happy with the way all three of those horses, over all, are doing. Their appetites are good. They're moving well. They have good coats. They're showing us all the right signs.”
Materiality, Itsaknockout and Stanford will continue to train in South Florida and will record one more breeze at Palm Beach Downs before heading to Kentucky Tuesday, Apr. 21.
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