Adriano tops Hawthorne Derby

ADRIANO (A.P. Indy), a game half-length winner of the Kent S. (G3) in his

last outing, will pursue his second consecutive stakes score when he heads to

the starting gate in Saturday's $250,000

Hawthorne Derby (G3). Winner of the Lane's End S. (G2) on Polytrack earlier

this season, the colt received a freshening following an unplaced finish in the

Kentucky Derby (G1) and was transferred to Bill Mott in the interim. He suffered

a troubled trip when blocked in traffic in the National Museum of Racing Hall of

Fame S. (G2) two starts back, checking in fourth by only a length, and earned

his first turf stakes win last time at Delaware Park. Kent Desormeaux, who

picked up the mount in the Kent, will be in the saddle once again, and Adriano

will face seven rivals in the 1 1/8-mile turf test at Hawthorne

Three-time stakes hero CHEROKEE TRIANGLE (Cherokee Run) will bring a two-race

win skein into the race, having captured the Come Summer S. two back at

Canterbury Park and the Cliff Guilliams Memorial S. most recently at Ellis Park.

The Mike Maker charge will keep Victor Lebron in the irons. SNOOSE GOOSE

(Aptitude) exits a three-length tally in the Honor Glide S. at Arlington Park

for trainer Hugh Robertson, and stakes winner LET IT ROCK (Trippi) will attempt

to transfer his main track form to the turf for conditioner Judith Hicklin.

The $75,000

Mary

D. Keim Illinois Owners H. will also be offered on Saturday, and 12

distaffers will line up for the one-mile turf event. SI SI MON

AMIE (El Corredor), a smart six-length winner of the Firecracker S. over open

rivals at Mountaineer Park this summer and second in the Nancy Vanier Illinois

Owners S. last out at Arlington Park, figures to compete for favoritism.