Radiohead: former Brian Meehan colt set for high rank in the States

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Radiohead on trial for Kentucky Derby

Preview: USA, Saturday 10.20pm GMT

Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby (Grade 1) 1m1f, dirt, 3yo

LAST year's Norfolk Stakes winner Radiohead (Rick Dutrow/Edgar Prado) must overcome the widest draw in a field of 11 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park as he goes on trial for the Kentucky Derby.

Also runner-up in the Middle Park for former trainer Brian Meehan before being purchased by Big Brown's owners IEAH stables, Radiohead takes on leading Kentucky hope Rule (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) in the Florida Derby.

Radiohead was an easy winner on his dirt debut last month in allowance company at Gulfstream for Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow.

"This will be a good test for him," said Dutrow, speaking in the DailyRacing Form. "He proved he was a good one in Europe and that he could handle the dirt in his first start over here. But we still need him to run a credible race on Saturday and show us he belongs in the Derby.

"The key for him will be the break," he added. " If he breaks well, I'd be very disappointed if he doesn't finish 1-2-3."

Likely favourite, however, is Rule, who followed victory in the $1m Delta Jackpot as a two-year-old with anotherfront-running success on his seasonal debut at Tampa Bay.

"In our eyes this is a Grade 1 stallion-making race," said Pletcher. "We're in here to win. We've got six weeks to recover if he has a particularly hard race."

Radiohead's other rivals in the first of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby trials are headed by Barbaro's brother Lentenor (Michael Matz/Alan Garcia).

Also on Saturday

Gulfstream Park: Bonnie Miss (Grade 2) 1m1f, dirt, 3yo fillies (8.11pmGMT)

Rick Dutrow could have a fantastic day at Gulfstream, where he also saddles Amen Hallelujah (Julien Leparoux), six-length winner of the Davona Dale three weeks ago.

Rivals include Grade 1 winner Devil May Care (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) and the highly rated Christine Daae (Patrick Biancone/Corey Nakatani, a daughter of Giant's Causeway mentioned as a potential Kentucky Oaks contender.

Gulfstream Park: Rampart Stakes (Grade 3) 1m1f, dirt, 4yo+ f/m (8.42pm GMT)

Venezuelan superstarBembera (Pablo Andrade/Edgar Perez), winner of 15 out of 17 at home including the Grade 1 Caribbean Classic, bids to show she is worthy of a place in the field against Zenyatta at Oaklawn Park next month.

Gulfstream Park: Swale Stakes (Grade 2) 7f, dirt, 3yo (9.45pm GMT)

Rick Dutrow may well be the main man yet again as hesaddles D'Funnybone (Edgar Prado), bidding to repeat last month's win in the Grade 2 Hutcheson.