Imperative transferred to Baltas barn

ARCADIA, Calif. – Imperative, second in the $1.45 million Charles Town Classic in his most recent start April 18, is being rested on a local farm and will be trained by Richard Baltas when he resumes racetrack activity in the coming weeks, owner Kenji Morinaga said.

Morinaga said Baltas will replace George Papaprodromou as trainer. Papaprodromou claimed Imperative for Morinaga for $50,000 in December 2013. In 2014, Imperative had one win in 11 starts – the Charles Town Classic – and earned $1,265,700. Imperative is winless in three starts this year, earning $304,250.

Imperative was beaten two lengths by Moreno in this year’s Charles Town Classic.

“Right now, he’s at the farm,” Morinaga said. “He deserves it.”

Morinaga said the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 22 is a summer goal for the 5-year-old Imperative. Imperative was third in the 2014 Pacific Classic when the race was run on a synthetic main track. Del Mar will have a dirt main track this year.

No timetable has been determined for Imperative’s return to the racetrack.

“It’s up to Richard,” Morinaga said.