Kentucky Derby Notes and Workouts for 4/27/22
Crown Pride Impressive in Latest Derby Workout
(Edited Press Release)
Teruya Yoshida’s well-traveled Crown Pride (JPN) turned in his most impressive pre-Kentucky Derby (G1) breeze the morning of April 27 by working a bullet half-mile in :46.40 over a fast track.
With regular morning partner Masa Matsuda aboard, Crown Pride produced fractions of :11.60, :23.20 and :46.40 and galloped out in 1:00.20 and 1:14.80 while working in company with the 4-year-old Southern Passage from the barn of Dale Romans.
Crown Pride left Japan on March 17 to travel 5,000 miles to Dubai where he won the UAE Derby (G2). He traveled another 7,300 miles from Dubai to Churchill Downs, arriving here March 30. Wednesday’s work was his fourth since arriving here.
Before the work, Crown Pride warmed up in the mile chute while the track was undergoing a harrow break and following the work had a leisurely trip back to the quarantine barn.
"That is a typical Japanese training regimen,” said Japan-based representative for the Kentucky Derby Kate Hunter. “Masa was very pleased with the work. He said Crown Pride moves well over the surface with no extra effort.”
Crown Pride’s previous works here were six furlongs in 1:18.60 on April 16, a half-mile in :49.80 on April 19 and a half-mile in :49.20 on April 24. He is scheduled to work again Sunday.
Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday night and will be at the post position draw Monday afternoon. Jockey Christophe Lemaire is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Monday.
