Imperial Hint, Shancelot get back on track at Monmouth Park

Imperial Hint and Shancelot, who created a buzz at Saratoga last weekend with their impressive victories, both went out for a jog on Thursday morning at Monmouth Park, remaining on course for their next starts.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Imperial Hint went out shortly after 8 a.m. under the watchful eye of trainer Luis Carvajal, Jr. He returned to his home base at Monmouth on Sunday night, a day after his record-setting victory in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1).

Imperial Hint set a track record by clocking 1:07.92 for the six furlongs.

“He came out of the race great. He’s looking good,” Carvajal said. “This was just to stretch his legs a little bit.”

Carvajal’s plans are to follow last year’s schedule by going next in the Sept. 28 Vosburgh (G1) at Belmont Park and then on to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Imperial Hint was third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last year and second in the race in 2017.

“For me, winning a Breeders’ Cup race would be great,” Carvajal said. “For him, he deserves to win a Breeders’ Cup race. It’s time for him to win a race like that. He deserves it.”

Shancelot also took to the track at Monmouth Park on Thursday, four days after his dazzling 12½-length victory in the Amsterdam (G2) at Saratoga, where he earned a 121 Beyer figure for that race in just his third career start.

Trainer Jorge Navarro has targeted the Aug. 24 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs at Saratoga.

Haskell Invitational (G1) and Florida Derby (G1) winner Maximum Security remains at Monmouth Park as well, with trainer Jason Servis saying he'll await race week for the Travers Stakes (G1) before announcing whether the colt will run at Saratoga.