by Jeff Lowe

Trainer Graham Motion and owner Donald Adam are warming to the idea of running Lane’s End Stakes (G2) winner Adriano in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3.

After Adriano registered his first stakes win in the Lane’s End on March 22, Motion initially targeted the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on April 19 at Keeneland Race Course as a more likely destination than the Kentucky Derby. Motion cited Adriano’s ninth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on February 24 at Gulfstream Park in his only start on a conventional dirt surface.

The A.P. Indy colt arrived at Keeneland Race Course on Tuesday from South Florida. If the weather cooperates, Motion will send Adriano to Churchill Downs this weekend for a workout on the dirt.

“We wouldn’t run him in both races,” Motion said. “I’d say at this point we’re leaning a little bit more toward the Derby than the Lexington.”

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer