Imperial Hint breaks track record in blazing Vanderbilt

As the horses were being led into the paddock for Saturday’s $350,000 A. G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), most of them looked pretty relaxed. None looked more relaxed than the diminutive Imperial Hint, though. And why not? He’d been here before, in fact for the same race a year ago today, a race he won by 3 ¾ lengths in one of the most impressive performances of the 2018 meet.

Imperial Hint, who races for Raymond Mamone, went one better in this year’s Vanderbilt. Staying a couple of lengths off the breakneck pace set by Strike Power and 1-2 favorite Mitole, the 6-year-old horse exploded to the front on the turn, distancing himself from the pacesetters in a matter of strides. The lead was a length or two coming off the turn, but for a short distance it looked as though the closers might still have a chance. Imperial Hint was far from done, however, and handridden to the finish by Javier Castellano, he streaked under the wire four lengths in front.

The 1:07.92 clocking for six furlongs over a fast main track bested the track record first set by Spanish Riddle 47 years ago and equaled by Speightstown in 2004. Spanish Riddle, by the way, was carrying 10 pounds fewer than Imperial Hint did on Saturday.

“He’s an amazing horse,” said Castellano. “He did this last year in the same race. It’s unbelievable. I always have a lot of confidence in him. He’s a little horse with a lot of talent.

“I knew they were going pretty quick early,” Castellano added. “I had a perfect position tracking them. He wanted to go. He was feeling good and gave me everything he had.”

Diamond Oops, the biggest price on the board at 29-1, was second by 3½ lengths over Mitole. Firenze Fire, Strike Power and Do Share completed the order of finish. A $2 exacta ticket on Imperial Hint and Diamond Oops paid a happy $245.50.

Strike Power (10-1) dragged Mitole through a :21.77 opening quarter and :44.21 half, with Imperial Hint starting to move to their outside. At this point, Strike Power and Mitole were probably both cooked, the only question being whether Imperial Hint was as well. The son of Imperialism answered that question by running the final quarter in 23.71 seconds.

“I couldn’t believe what was going on around the turn, but he’s a really good horse,” said winning trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. “He doesn’t have a big body, but he has a lot of heart. When I looked at the times [after the finish], my hairs stood up.”

With the win, Imperial Hint improves to 13-2-3 from 22 starts, with lifetime earnings of $2,034,155.