Botti Holds Italian Derby Aces

Italian Champion trainer Stefano Botti will saddle a record six horses Sunday at the Capannelle in the G2 Derby Italiano. The 39-year-old Botti–who has a record of three wins, three seconds and two thirds with 17 Derby runners since he became the Master of Cenaia’s training center in 2009–holds all the aces. Three of his horses are owned by Scuderia Effevi, who purchased a share of the unbeaten Goldstream (Ity) (Martino Alonso {Ire}) and also has the undefeated fillySound Of Freedom (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), the winner of the G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) who can become the first female to win the Italian Derby since Archidamia in 1936. 
Another Botti charge, Time Chant (GB) (War Chant), registered a career high when landing the Listed Campobello Nov. 1 at San Siro. Roccia D’Oro (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is unbeaten in two starts and Firun (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) snatched the Premio Guido Clerici, a well reputed Derby trial, Apr. 11. 

Trainer Bruno Grizzetti bids for a third Derby win with Azari (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) who finished fast to grab second behind Hero Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G3 Italian 2000 Guineas. General Sherman (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was third there, and is expected to improve with the step up in trip. Greg Pass (Ire) (Raven’s Pass) strolled home is his debut Mar. 28 at San Siro, and stepped up to collect a brave win in the Listed Premio Emanuele Filiberto four weeks later. 

German raiders have won the Italian Derby three times, and this year Peter Schiergen will send Graasten (Ger) (Sholokhov (Ire)), an unexposed dual winner. Jens Hirschberger will saddle Summer Paradise (Fr), a well regarded son of Authorized (Ire), who opened his account in his third start in a maiden at Hannover May 3. The colt in entered in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.