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Kentucky Derby Bettting: Adriano puts in an eye-catching performance ahead of big one

US Racing RSS / / 28 March 2008 /

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Nick Shiambouros rounds up the talking points from the US tracks

The road to The Kentucky Derby took another twist when Adriano put up a remarkable performance to win The Grade 2 Lane's Stakes last Saturday. It was a fine ride by Edgar Prado who put in a decisive move coming in to the straight to produce an easy victory. Halo Najib ran on very well but never ever had a chance to land a blow against this impressive winner.

Winning trainer Graham Motion did not have any time to enjoy the moment as he had to leave to catch a flight but owner Donald Adam was on hand to receive the prize and said that he would leave a final decision as to go or not to go to the Derby to Motion. I personally feel that apart from current favourite Pyro, the Derby looks wide open. Based on what I saw Adriano must have as good a chance as any apart from the hot favourite and I will be surprised if he does not line up on the first Saturday in May. Winning jockey Prado knows what it feels like to win a Derby and who could ever forget the performance of the great Barbaro a couple of years ago...

Over at Santa Anita in The San Luis Rey Handicap, hot favourite On The Acorn could never land a blow against the winner Boule d'Or who had over a ten length lead coming in to the straight and held on very well to beat Porfido in this Grade 2 event. I would have to give Tyler Baze the ride of the week award as he rode everyone to sleep with this super effort. I am not sure if this form will hold up as this race was run at a crawl and I fear it will be a different story next time.

Now on to the best day's racing of the year in south Florida this Saturday featuring the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. This race is always hotly contested and this year is no exception. The unbeaten Big Brown is a interesting runner but I think this is a very big step to make after winning an Allowance race by over 12 lengths.

I like the look of Elysium Fields at around [4.0] for the win after a really solid effort in The Fountain Of Youth but I will also be having a saver on Nistle's Crunch who could run very well at a decent price after a really impressive victory last time out over the course. I think the jockey booking of the very talented Julian Leparoux could be significant.

Also on this great Saturday card is The Bonnie Miss Stakes which attracts a solid field for this Oaks trial. A horse that I think will go close and is worth a interest win and place is Backseat Rhythm who should be coming late and fast in this event. I think this daughter of El Corredor could go off at around [5.0] for the win.

This Saturday is truly a special day because there is so much taking place in the Miami area and what better way to spend an evening after going racing than a night at The Sony Ericsson tennis tournament taking place at Key Biscayne? There is nothing like tennis under the lights at this historic venue.

If you have any cash left after all of this then you could go to South Beach later and sample the great nightlife on offer or in you have lost all your money at the track like I have many times then head over to "Little Havana" for some great Cuban food and listen to some Salsa music and enjoy that friendly Latin hospitality. Whatever you choose you will leave with some great memories of one of the most vibrant cities in the world...

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