L'Imperator lands first Grade 1 win over jumps in inaugural Beverly Steinman

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – L’Imperator, a winner on the flat at Aqueduct in November 2021, is now a winner over the jumps here as well, after running down the embattled leaders to register a two-length victory over pacesetting Rampoldi Plan in the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman Steeplechase Stakes. The race postponed 11 days due to weather after originally being scheduled to run during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga earlier this month.

L’Imperator had a solid career on the flat, winning seven of 17 starts, four of those victories coming with trainer Chad Brown, including 1 3/16-mile allowance/optional-claiming race here more than two and a half years ago. He also won the Grade 2 Ft. Marcy at Belmont Park in May of the following year.

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Nearly a year later, L’Imperator joined trainer Archibald Kingsley’s barn and began his second career over hurdles, winning twice over the jumps, before finishing second in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory over this course in September.

In the 2 3/8-furlong Steinman, L’Imperator rated midpack while kept within easy striking distance of Rampoldi Plan and Ziggle Pops, who duked it out on the front end, the former setting most of the pace, with the latter gaining and then relinquishing a slight advantage over every successive hurdle.
L’Imperator cleared the final jump less than three lengths behind the leaders, then came widest of the trio into the stretch, and joined for command near midstretch, before gradually edging away under vigorous handling from jockey Jordan Gainford. Rampoldi Plan repulsed several challenges from Ziggie Pops along the way before fending off one last bid to be second best.

L’Imperator, a 7-year-old son of Holy Roman Empire owned by Hudson River Farms, covered the distance over a firm course in 4.31.97 and paid $6.60.

“I had that good feeling and only grew more confident as the race was unfolding. That I couldn’t have pictured it any better,” said Kingsley. “With a turn to go, I said to myself, ‘we’re going to win it.’ He was going after those two that had shaken loose, and he was going to take his time to get there and keep an eye on them, but it all unfolded perfectly.”

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