Imperial Hint dazzles in Saratoga's Vanderbilt Handicap

Jockey Javier Castellano turned for home and needed only a hand ride Saturday as Imperial Hint pulled away in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, an emphatic first Grade 1 victory for the Luis Carvajal Jr.-trained 5 year old.

“When he runs, I always expect him to do this well,” Carvajal said. “Winning here at Saratoga, this kind of race, it's my first Grade 1 for me [and] my owner [Raymond Mamone]. It's just fantastic. I have a good group of people who work with me and I can't put into words how happy I feel.”

The son of Imperialism appears to be in the middle of his best career form. Prior to the Vanderbilt, he won the Grade 2 True North Stakes, what was then his biggest career victory. A newly-minted Grade 1 winner now, Imperial Hint picked up his 11th win in 17 starts and pushed his earnings over $1.2 million.

Though small in stature, Imperial Hint was a big favorite for the Vanderbilt. Castellano settled his mount in the middle of the seven-horse field while Switzerland took the lead over Mr. Crown and Done Deal. Warrior’s Club, Petrov and Sweetontheladies made up the second half of the field.

The frontrunners battled for position as Switzerland ran the opening quarter-mile in :21.70 before slowing down to :44.40 at the half-mile mark. The field scrambled to get their neck in front turning for home, leaving Castellano to take Imperial Hint four wide. The extra ground didn’t slow Imperial Hint down one bit. Castellano straightened out his mount, held his hands still and drew off on Imperial Hint, with no encouragement from the whip.

“It basically was an easy ride,” Castellano said. “I have to give all the credit to the trainer, Luis Carvajal, for the way he has been training to hold him and taking a lot of patience with the horse and picking the right place for the horse. I basically enjoyed the ride with the horse and I think lately the horse is more relaxed.

“I liked the way he did it the last time [Grade 2 True North on June 8 at Belmont Park] and I liked the way he went today also. He doesn't have to hook up with the speed. He doesn't have to set the pace and I think now he can settle back a little bit and then he finds the last kick. [It was] very impressive today the way he performed. I could have opened up by ten, but he is a great horse and I enjoyed the ride.”

Imperial Hint completed the six furlongs in 1:08.98, coasting to a 3 ¾-length victory.

Warrior’s Club rallied for second, followed by Sweetontheladies, Mr. Crow, Switzerland, Petrov and Done Deal.

Although no definite plans are set, Carvajal is considering another trip to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, in which Imperial Hint finished second last year.

“That's the way I wanted to see him win,” the trainer said of the Vanderbilt effort. “For Imperial Hint, it's great to have a Grade 1. I think I'll go back to the barns and see how he came back. It'll probably be [in] New York [his next start], we don't know yet. I'll pick a spot. Now, I have to keep him sound and healthy and hopefully I can go back to the Breeders' Cup. Probably right now, I'll keep him at three-quarters [of a mile].”