Imperial Hint makes easy work of Horse Races Now Sprint

Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Imperial Hint kicked off his 2018 campaign in grand style, coasting to an easy five-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Horse Races Now Sprint at Tampa Bay Downs.

With regular rider Javier Castellano aboard, Imperial Hint stalked the pace of Delta Bluesman while hard-held from the outset. He dragged his rider to the lead midway on the turn, quickly drew well clear and was never threatened thereafter while being geared down through much of the final furlong.

Deland, a Grade 1 winner earlier in his career in Puerto Rico, circled rivals on the turn and was easily second-best. Delta Bluesman finished a tiring third in a field of six older runners.

The victory was the ninth in 14 starts for Imperial Hint, a 5-year-old son of Imperialism, who is trained by Luis Carvajal Jr. for owner Raymond Mamone. Imperial Hint covered six furlongs in 1:10.78 seconds and returned $2.40.

“You always get a little nervous, especially when the horse hasn’t run for some time and had a few issues,” Carvajal said. “But he was training very well, so I was very confident and a little worried at the same time. But obviously I was pleased with his performance. Javier said after the race that he felt a little embarrassed taking the money because it was like a workout for the horse. And I was very happy to hear that.”

Carvajal said if all goes well he’d likely bring Imperial Hint back in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Sprint on Derby day.