Tag: Crown Pride (Jpn)

White Abarrio Draws Rail, National Treasure Booked In Seven For The 2024 Saudi Cup

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero White Abarrio (Race Day), who leads Team USA in Saturday's 1800-meter $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, drew the rail in a field of 14 during the Saudi Cup draw ceremony in Saudi Arabia Wednesday.

Trained by Richard Dutrow, Jr., the gray defeated Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) (stall 13) in the Classic, and will face the starter for the first time since in Saturday's contest at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh in just a handful of days.

After the draw, Dutrow said, “He had the two-hole last time, this can't be a problem. We've got the best rider, one of the best horses. It'll be fun. We'll be ready. He really takes my breath away every time I see him.”

“I'm shaking right now, I mean this is exciting stuff man–a $20-million race, my mum's going crazy! I mean my dad used to run for $10,000… we were so happy, now a $20-million race, she just can't believe it.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has yet to win the Saudi Cup, but his runners have performed well at the meeting, which will celebrate its fifth edition in 2024. In fact, Baffert runners have finished second each of the past three years–Charlatan (Speightstown) (2021) and Country Grammer (Tonalist) (2022/2023). This term, Baffert will saddle GI Preakness S. hero National Treasure (Quality Road), who will leave from gate seven. The bay defeated Grade II winner Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) (stall four) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. at the end of January.

Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert said, “He's got better and better, he's beginning to put races together, he's really matured and loves it here. Flavien Prat [jockey] will give him a good trip and that's all you can ask for.”

Other American Saudi Cup starters will leave from gates eight and five, respectively, in Grade II winner Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft), fourth in the Pegasus; and GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). The latter triumphed in the GIII Louisiana S. at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20.

Dallas Stewart, trainer of Hoist The Gold, said, “That's the same number that Winning Colors [who he rode as an exercise rider] had when she won the GI Kentucky Derby [in 1988]. He travels well, he's been to California three times, he went to New York, he looks terrific and is handling the track good.”

The aforementioned Derma Sotogake, a winner of the G2 UAE Derby last year, sustained a minor injury to his eye on the flight over, but connections have opted to run the colt, as he appears healed, the Racing Post reported on Wednesday.

“We didn't see how it happened on the plane,” said trainer Hidetaka Otonashi to the publication. “He's recovered from the injury and was galloping very well, so we've decided to go ahead.”

Japan fields another four runners in the Saudi Cup, as fellow Breeders' Cup Classic competitor Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) (stall 11) has also returned for another crack at his Santa Anita foes. Already the winner of the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup, the 7-year-old entire won his second G1 Tokyo Daishoten at Oi on Dec. 29 and has been pleasing connections in his training.

Japan's attempt to take home the hardware for the second consecutive year is supported by the trio of Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) (gate three) and MGSWs Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn}) (gate six) and Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) from stall 12.

Harry Sweeney, of Lemon Pop who is owned by Godolphin, “We've enormous confidence in our jockey, in our last race we drew the very outside and a horse had never won from that position before. Lemon Pop overcame those odds. He's going to have to do it again but we'll see how it goes. It's a big ask for Lemon Pop, we're respectful of all.”

GI Awesome Again S. and GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. victor Defunded (Dialed In), formerly raced in America from the Baffert barn. Campaigned by new connections beginning on Saturday, he exits stall nine. The other Saudi contenders are Power in Numbers (Girvin), who sports a 4-0 record at Riyadh to date, and the winning Carmel Road (Quality Road) (stall 14). Quality Road's Emblem Road won the 2022 edition of the Saudi Cup. They leave from stalls 10 and 14, respectively.

Khalid bin Mishref, racing manager for the gelding's owner Dr. Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb, said, “It was a good move from us to bring him early to Saudi Arabia, he's acclimatized very well. We're hoping that he's capable to compete against those great horses.”

The UAE's Isolate (Mark Valeski), booked in stall two, is riding a two-race winning streak, and was last seen winning the G2 Al Maktoum Mile in December.

The full field in post position order is as follows:

 

The Saudi Cup-G1, $20,000,000, 4yo/up, 1800m
1-White Abarrio (Race Day)
2-Isolate (Mark Valeski)
3-Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid)
4-Senor Buscador (Mineshaft)
5-Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming)
6-Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn})
7-National Treasure (Quality Road)
8-Hoist The Gold (Mineshaft)
9-Defunded (Dialed In)
10-Power In Numbers (Girvin)
11-Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn})
12-Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro)
13-Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits)
14-Carmel Road (Quality Road)

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Japanese Contingent In Fine Form Before The Saudi Cup

Japan's Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn}), a winner of the 2022 G2 UAE Derby and last year's G3 Korea Cup, galloped over the dirt track in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in advance of a start in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Saturday. He is one of five Japanese horses in the world's richest race, which will go postward at 8:40 p.m. local time.

“We did a 1200m gallop on the dirt track today. He moved and accelerated well. We are happy,” Yohei Kotobuki, a stable representative, said of the G1 Champions Cup runner-up.

Also out for a spin, although in his case a canter, was 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic second Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) on Tuesday morning. The 2023 UAE Derby hero was just a length behind the re-opposing White Abarrio (Race Day) in that Santa Anita contest in November, his most recent race.

“He has recovered well from the travel and he is very fresh. Christophe Lemaire will ride his gallop tomorrow,” Masatoshi Segawa, a stable representative, said.

There was also a positive bulletin on 2023 Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who stretched his legs and jogged one lap on the dirt. A winner of both the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai and the G1 Champions Cup in October and December, respectively, the 6-year-old entire represents Godolphin and trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka.

“He has been getting familiarised with the new surroundings here and has eaten up very well. He cantered nicely and has been the same as how he is at home,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said.

Only fifth to Lemon Pop in the Champions Cup, multiple group winner Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) has been twice placed at the highest level, to fellow Saudi Cup hopeful and 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup victor Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten, and to Lemon Pop once again in the G1 February S. last year. Connections reported he cantered 1 1/2 laps over the Riyadh dirt on Tuesday.

“He was a bit tired for a few days after his arrival but his condition has recovered a lot and he appears to be back to how he is. He will have a fast gallop on the dirt track tomorrow,” assistant trainer Atsushi Obayashi said.

The aforementioned Ushba Tesoro jogged a quarter mile and finished his training with a 1 1/4-mile canter on the dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Tuesday.

“He has been relaxed and getting used to the new surroundings since he has arrived. He has a great balance with his conformation and he looks great,” assistant trainer Masakazu Fukami said.

Besides the $20-million big dance, Japan is strongly represented in the undercard races, and GI Belmont S. winner Palace Malice's half-brother Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) turned in a strong canter on Tuesday, as well. The 7-year-old will compete in Saturday's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres on the grass.

“He moved comfortably with lots left in his tank. He felt really good. He really enjoys his life here and he seems fit on the dirt surface even though he is a turf runner,” assistant trainer Shoritsu Kurono said.

A trio of Yoshito Yahagi runners were out for a gallop together on Tuesday: G2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint hopeful Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who is defending his title after taking the race in 2023; Red Sea Turf H. entrant Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}); and undefeated G3 Saudi Derby runner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). Both Libyan Glass and Forever Young are first-time travelers.

“Libyan Glass travels overseas for the first time in his career and he has been settled because he is with other two horses,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said. “He is tuning up for the race and is very well.

“He [Bathrat Leon] showed great acceleration in the stretch. Hopefully he keeps good form until the race.”

Oka said of dual listed winner Forever Young, “As he did all he needed to before we brought him here, we had not asked him too much today.”

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Wednesday’s Derby Report: Crown Pride & Taiba Works Highlight Busy Morning

LOUISVILLE, KY – Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) had Wednesday morning's 'Dawn at the Downs' crowd buzzing just three days out from the GI Kentucky Derby.

With the G2 UAE Derby winner continuing to warm up with his popular dressage-like jogging routine in the chute on a very cool and overcast morning, Todd Pletcher's troops of Charge It (Tapit), Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) and Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) were the first to hit the track for the special Derby/Oaks training period at 7:30 a.m.

Owner Jerry Crawford stood alongside the two-time Derby winning Hall of Fame trainer on the backstretch while closely monitoring Donegal Racing and Repole Stable's aforementioned GII Wood Memorial S. winner.

With jockey Christophe Lemaire's yellow helmet cap fittingly matching Crown Pride's Kentucky Derby saddle towel, the dark bay blitzed through a visually impressive half-mile bullet breeze in :46.60. Under a nice hold approaching the quarter pole with ears flicking back and forth, Crown Pride switched leads right on cue in the stretch and powered on through the wire as he continues to impress in his training.

The unbeaten Taiba (Gun Runner), credited with just a lone six-furlong breeze breeze since his sensational GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby win, blew out three furlongs beneath Joel Rosario in :38.40. The chestnut followed that same blueprint before his Santa Anita Derby win. Tim Yakteen's former late and legendary boss Charlie Whittingham is certainly smiling somewhere. One of the more efficient movers you'll see, Taiba brought $1.7 million as a Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale 2-year-old in training.

The top two choices on Mike Battaglia's Kentucky Derby morning-line, meanwhile, were also out stretching their legs during this action-packed 15-minute time slot. Slightly favored Zandon (Upstart) continues to stride out beautifully during his preparations beneath the Twin Spires for Chad Brown. Typically out for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen during the pre-dawn hours, Epicenter (Not This Time) looked the part as well while training much later than usual amidst the chaos.

With his neck bowed and sporting lots of blue and yellow equipment, no one stood out more than the stunning gray White Abarrio (Race Day).

The blaze-faced Zozos (Munnings) also caught the eye while galloping a powerful 1 1/2 miles along with his Brad Cox-trained stablemates Cyberknife (Gun Runner) and Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile).

Despite temperatures hovering in the 50s, Smile Happy (Runhappy) was a bit lathered on his neck during his routine gallop.

Back at the barn and still with cotton balls in his ears, Epicenter kept his cool before a big crowd of admiring media and fans while getting cleaned up as training hours began to wind down.

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Derby Hopeful Crown Pride Works

Teruya Yoshida's Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) worked a bullet half-mile in :46.40 at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning in advance of the May 7 Kentucky Derby. With regular morning partner Masa Matsuda aboard, Crown Pride cut out fractions of :11.60, :23.20 and :46.40, galloping out in 1:00.20 and 1:14.80 while working in company with the 4-year-old Southern Passage. Crown Pride left Japan Mar. 17 to travel to Dubai where he won the G2 UAE Derby before arriving in Louisville Mar. 30. Wednesday's work was his fourth since his arrival in Kentucky. 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 Apr. 16, a half-mile in :49.80 Apr. 19 and a half-mile in :49.20  Apr. 24. He is scheduled to work again Sunday.

Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday night and will be in attendance at the post position draw Monday afternoon. Jockey Christophe Lemaire is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Monday.

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