The Derby Italiano at the Capannelle track outside Rome ended in an exciting finish, with four horses involved, and the judges had to call for a photo, which they used what seemed to be hours to study before the winner was called. And the winner was 63-1 shot Bleff Dipa, with Roberto Vecchione in the bike, and trained by Holger Ehlert.

Bleff Dipa, who had drawn post position 14 in the 1-5/16th mile event, came from behind to win by a nose. The first four trotters past the post were all timed in 1:58.1f (mile rate).

The winner is owned in France by Jean Pierre Barjon, President of the French Trotting Association, Le Trot, and sired by Mister J P (he by Taurus Dream), which Mr. Barjon also bred and raced with success in Sweden.

The purse for the winner was $420,000.

The filly division raced over the mile was won by Betta Zack with Andrea Guzzinati in the bike, timed in 1:56.4f. The purse for the winner was $125,000. Betta Zack, who is trained by Alessandro Gocciadoro, is sired by Rotary OK, he by Andover Hall.