Materiality Could Change the Complexion of Preakness

With the Todd Pletcher-trained Materiality still a possibility for the Preakness, bettors in search of a viable value-based play will be crossing their fingers that the once-beaten colt makes the starting gate in Baltimore. Having entered the Derby undefeated in three starts and with the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any horse in the field (110 in the Florida Derby), Materiality was not good enough to overcome an uncharacteristically poor start from the inside where he quickly found himself behind a wall of horses and much farther back than he had been in any of his first three starts. Still the colt refused to throw in the proverbial towel, running on well for sixth against the bias of a speed-favoring surface at Churchill.

Materiality could be 2015 version of Curlin

There was also too much history to overcome as Materiality was attempting to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a two year-old. In many ways, the colt’s trajectory mirrors that of Curlin’s in 2007, who also entered the Kentucky Derby with an unblemished record and sans two year-old foundation. Curlin finished a troubled third behind winner Street Sense and runner-up Hard Spun. Two weeks later, Curlin turned the tables on both rivals in the Preakness before launching a stellar career and becoming the all-time leading earner in North American racing history.

Plenty of positives 

With top connections, exemplary speed figures, and viable excuses for failing to hit the board in the Kentucky Derby, Materiality will represent optimum value if his connections choose to run in the 2015 Preakness Stakes.