Whilst Acquisitions snuck home for a FL Derby triumph and Penal Colony dived without success in the AR Derby, Strollin Donzet scorched home in the Hutcheson Stakes and Chien Ming Wang was left flat-footed in Californian conditions company, Surf And Turf caught the eye at Oaklawn as did The Texas Kidd as a longshot Lewis Stakes contender:

A patient-minded conditioner and his gut-bustling grey were awarded with a third-up prize that would out-do them all. Ridden to absolute perfection in a mud-ridden Twin Spires track, Fusion won the KYD.

And his trainer Eastern Equine will be treated with a fresh and prepared Hold The Spirit colt when the TCs bandwagon sweeps into the Old Line State for the Grade I PRK on Saturday week.

There is no disputing who has been announced as the favourite for the 2nd leg as Wentbets PRK market opened today. Undefeated for 2007, Fusion lands an opening quote of 8-5 as a result of his heroic achievements in Kentucky.

Although donned with the notification that he is an unpopular Auto-Generated gelding, also finding himself in the claiming ranks late last year, The Texas Kidd pursued Fusion all the way and resulted in another brilliant finish for runner-up, his second close encounter with gracing the winner's circle after his FL Derby defeat, albeit by a long neck.

Seeing a quoted price of 12-1 when books closed at Paradise Casino, The Texas Kidd has regularly been given little respect on course with prices of 11-1 in the Lewis Stakes, 17-1 in the FL Derby and a healthy 25-1 for the Run For The Roses, the Thinken Stables gelding is a well deserving 3-1 second elect.

The muddy conditions and horrible draw may have wrecked any possibility of 5-2 Derby favourite Timepiece of achieving his crowning success in the 1st leg, but he still managed a creditable fifth and was, too, on his third start in this campaign. Putting all raceday factors aside, the well supported Time Clock colt has decreased in recommendations but will be quoted at 5-1.

For a first time starter in the mud and on close inspection of the Derby was one of the unluckiest, the Wentbet bookies have noticed Antelope Valley as a possible danger to re-ignite his chances in the PRK and earns a solid quote of 9-1.

Although without a mention in the Top 50 Graded Stakes-earning TC contenders as of this date and would most likely miss PIMs feature, Barcelona Farms-trained Long Trek won brilliantly in a traditional PIM lead-up race, the Tesio Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on the two-turn Maryland course. The lightly-raced, three-time winning colt passed his Stakes grade in flying colours and has been considered on the market line at 26-1 alongside Acquisitions, Hollywood Moon and Flash, who scratched on Derby morning due to the state of the track.

With no official announcements from any trainers about their movements following the KYD, expect the markets to swiftly change over the following days if any of the Derby runners will be missing from action on May 19.

The PRK Latest Market 5/10/2007

8-5  Fusion
3-1  The Texas Kidd
5-1  Timepiece
8-1  Penal Colony
9-1  Antelope Valley
12-1  Stormy Regent
15-1  Crazy Town
20-1  Chien Ming Wang, Grumpee
26-1  Acquisitions, Flash, Hollywood Moon, Long
       Trek
33-1  Colins Ransom, Surf And Turf
50-1  Copperhead Ravine, Fire One Up, Lost In
       Bagdad, Round Trip Ticket
66-1  Strollin Donzet
100-1  Home Spirit, Keeping The Faith,
        Maroon Colours, Odelay
150-1  Jamesy Wamesy