Authorized starting '07 at York

Authorized, the Epsom Derby favorite, puts his big-race credentials on the line at York on Thursday when he makes his seasonal debut in the Group 2, $296,000 Dante Stakes, a 1 1/4-mile and 88-yard trial for the 1 1/2-mile Derby on June 2.

Authorized sprung a 25-1 surprise winning his maiden race in just his second start, the one-mile Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Newbury on Oct. 21.

A Montjeu colt trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, Authorized is quoted as low as 3-1 for the Derby by Ladbrokes, whose 7-1 second choice, Salford Mill, was not entered in the Dante because of the prevailing soft ground at York and will go straight to Epsom off his second-place finish in the listed Feilden Stakes on April 18.

Frankie Dettori takes the ride aboard Authorized in a race that has been won in two of the last three years by the eventual Derby winner, North Light in 2004 and Motivator a year later.

Challenging Authorized are Raincoat, who won the 1 1/4-mile Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on April 25, although trainer John Gosden has warned he will withdraw the colt if there is more rain, and Adagio, the Michael Stoute-trained winner of the Group 3 Craven Stakes who disappointed last time, finishing 12th in the 2000 Guineas.