UAE Derby winner Crown Pride confirmed for the Kentucky Derby

Crown Pride, the Japanese-bred colt who earned entry into the Kentucky Derby with a win in last Saturday's UAE Derby (G2), is headed straight to the U.S. to compete in the classic, the Japan Racing Association confirmed on Tuesday. 

Crown Pride collected 100 Kentucky Derby points for trainer Koichi Shintani and owner Teruya Yoshida when uncorking a sweeping move in the about 1 3/16-miles UAE Derby to win by 2 3/4 lengths.

Earlier on Saturday, Shintani and Yoshida's filly Delicada won the Fukuryu Stakes at Yokohama to also earn a Kentucky Derby berth. However, she needed to be nominated at the close of the late nomination period on Monday. Churchill Downs is expected to reveal any late nominees later this week. 

Horses based in Japan have previously competed in three Kentucky Derby's with the last being Master Fencer, who was sixth in in 2019. He would go on to also finish off-the-board in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

The other horses from Japan to run in the Derby are Ski Captain, who was 14 in 1995; and Lani, who was ninth in 2016. Both of those colts were bred in Kentucky.