Eddy County Horse Goes to the Kentucky Derby

Gill Moutrey also is a Eddy County Farmer and producer of Pecans. KRQE NEWS - It’s the name that’s hard to say, but one that people around New Mexico just keep hearing, Materiality. The horse is owned by Gil Moutrey and Eddie Herrel who both live in Alto just outside Ruidoso. “In 1990 to 1994 I was chairman of the New Mexico State Racing Commission. My father was a charter shareholder of the Ruidoso Jockey Club in Ruidoso Downs and I have just loved horse racing all my life,” said Moutrey. That love for racing has led Moutrey to where he is now, likely headed to the Kentucky Derby. The horse had a huge win this weekend in the Florida Derby, he’s now 3-0 in his career. Moutrey said that he and Herrel saw the potential in Materiality and decided to take things slowly and not race him right away. “The main trainer was in contact with me frequently. Saying I think this guy might be somebody special,” he said. Materiality could become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby since 1882 without racing as a two-year-old.Now they’ll see how the three-year-old does in the next month before committing to a run for the roses. “Again, we need to just get lucky. We need to keep him healthy we need to keep him sound. He’s an easy keeping horse. He eats well. And all those are tremendous assets for bouncing back,” said Moutrey.