Pedigree

Adriano is by two-time leading sire A.P. Indy, a son of legendary Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew who hails from the terrific Secretariat mare Weekend Surprise. Named Horse of the Year in 1992 following wins in the Belmont S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), A.P. Indy is the sire of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft as well as classic winners Rags to Riches (the first filly in 102 years to win the 1 1/2-mile Belmont S.) and Bernardini (2006 Preakness [G1]). His progeny's Average Winning Distance is a whopping 8.2 furlongs. A.P. Indy's son Aptitude finished fast for runner-up honors in the 2000 Kentucky Derby, and the 19-year-old stallion is long overdue for his first Kentucky Derby (G1) winner.

Adriano's dam, Gold Canyon, broke her maiden going 1 1/16 miles at Delaware and has produced one other winner. She is by the legendary Mr. Prospector, from whom nine Kentucky Derby winners are direct mail-line descendants, and who is also an ancestor on the female side of the 2006 hero, Barbaro. Gold Canyon is a three-quarter sister to stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Double Scoop (Seeking the Gold). They were produced by Golden Treat (Theatrical [Ire]), who won the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and finished fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Fittingly for a daughter of the grass influence Theatrical (Ire), she also showed talent on the turf when winning the San Clemente H. Golden Treat is herself a half-sister to Belmont S. (G1) and Haskell Invitational H. (G1) winner Bet Twice (Sportin' Life), who was runner-up in the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

With class and stamina influences on dirt coming from both sides of his family, on pedigree Adriano should be well up to the Derby task.