Adriano

Wherever Adriano goes, so goes Edgar Prado.  If it works for Kent Desormeaux, they why not Adriano.  Todays biggest derby decision was Edgar Prado, who has been on fire for the last month making the decision to ride Adriano over Monba in the Kentucky Derby.

This time there is no rumor or speculation.  Prado chose Adriano over Monba!  

Adriano will go into the Derby off a 6 week layoff after winning the Lane's End.  Last Year Hard Spun led every pole except the last one when finishing 2nd at Churchill Downs.

Adriano was visualy impressvie in the Lan'es End, gearing down late after a quick turn of foot on the turn got him into the lead at the top of the stretch.  By A P Indy, this long strider could be starting to get good with just 15 days away until the big race.

Adriano has been visualy impressive a couple of times this year.  His turf win in January was a monster performance and his Lane's End was solid if not dominating.

As a juvenile Adriano competed in the Grade 1 Breeder's Futurity at Keeneland.  In fact Adriano's only bad races was out of the 12 hole at Gulfstream in the Fountain of Youth when it was 88 degrees and very humid.  Both Adriano and Monba came off the debacle of the Fountain of Youth and came back with victories in the cool midwest air.

Adraino has many of the classic winner characteristics in his past performance lines.  With 4 races as a juvenile and 7 lifetime starts, he has the experience.  He has also raced on dirt, turf and polytrack with a nice debut effort at Monmouth thrown in last summer.

Adriano seems to be peaking, training well and galloping well following his Lane's End win.  The broodmare sire is Mr. Prospector, so Adriano also inherits a touch of speed and class from his female family.

Greaham Motion is generally regarded as a strong turf trainer.  But he has had Kentucky Derby Starters in the past.

Adriano should be able to get a stalking trip and has enough tactical speed to stay out of trouble and could get a nice run from the mid-pack group of horses.