Imperative Now Targeting Pacific Classic

Imperative, owned by KM Racing Enterprises Inc. and trained by George Papaprodromou, has been nominated for and is being prepared to run in the $1 million Grade I TVG Pacific Classic.

A 4-year-old son of Bernardini, Imperative has three wins in 17 career starts with earnings of $1,194,870, all but $55,170 of it coming in 2014. Claimed for $50,000 in late December of 2013, Imperative has a runner-up effort in the San Antonio Stakes in February at Santa Anita, a victory in the Charlestown Classic in April and a third-place finish in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita in July among seven starts this year.

Imperative finished ahead of defending Pacific Classic champion Game On Dude in two recent starts, prevailing by 1 ½ lengths at Charlestown and 4 ½ lengths in front of fourth-place Game On Dude in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. In his last outing, Imperative was eighth of nine, beaten 11 ½ lengths by Fed Biz, in the San Diego Handicap here on July 26.  

Kent Desormeaux, aboard for Imperative’s last five starts, has the mount for the Pacific Classic.

The deadline for nominations for the 24th running of the 1 ¼-mile Classic on Sunday, August 24, is midnight Thursday night. Racing officials already have received, or expect to receive, nominations for: Game On Dude, Majestic Harbor, Shared Belief, Clubhouse Ride, Fed Biz, Irish Surf, Footbridge, You Know I Know, Footbridge, Big Casanova, Sky Kingdom, Mystery Train and Toast of New York and Imperative.

Close of entries is next Wednesday, with the post position draw to be conducted at an event that evening at the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa.