RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MARCH 28, 2015—The New Mexico-owned Materiality showed maturity beyond his two starts to win the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby on Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park near Miami and become one of the favorites in the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

Materiality is owned by Gil Moutray and Eddie Harrell, who each own homes in Alto, New Mexico. Alto is located a few miles north of Ruidoso and each are regulars at Ruidoso Downs. Moutry’s grandfather raced horses in New Mexico, his father was a founding member of the Ruidoso Down’s Jockey Club and Moutray is a former chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Moutray and Harrell decided in 2009 to form a partnership after Moutray had liquidated his stable in the mid-1990s. They named their stable Alto Racing.

Materiality, facing graded stakes competition for the first time, fought Upstart in a classic stretch duel to take the one-and-one-eighth mile Florida Derby by one-and-one-half lengths.

The race gives Materiality enough points to earn a Kentucky Derby starting spot and his rapid advancement in just three races makes him one of the favorites.

Materiality was unraced as a two-year-old in 2014 and no horse has won the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old since Apollo in 1882.

“I think that streak has to be broken at some point,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

A $400,000 two-year-old purchase, Materiality won his debut at six furlongs and then took a minor stakes at one-and-one-eighth mile in his second start. “But you don’t see horses win their second start off one six-furlong maiden win and go a mile and an eighth in exceptional time. I think he stamped himself as a very legitimate horse at that point. It takes a special one to do that.”

The Kentucky Derby will be simulcast at Ruidoso Downs in Billy’s Sports Bar with full wagering on the May 2 program.

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