Imperial Hint thrives for Dubai Golden Shaheen, 'unlike in Saudi'
Raymond Mamone’s $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) favorite Imperial Hint got back to work at Meydan toward the 2020 edition of the world’s richest dirt sprint, breezing four furlongs on Thursday morning in 47 seconds flat under exercise rider Jose Contreras.
The Luis Carvajal Jr. trainee broke off at the half-mile pole and went his first quarter in about 24 seconds before finishing down the Meydan stretch in about 23 seconds. His connections hope he can improve upon an off-the-board finish last out in the $1.5 million Saudia Sprint in Riyadh, as well as a third in last year’s Shaheen as the favorite.
Jose was really impressed with the work and so was I,” Carvajal Jr. said. “He hadn’t worked him before and said he went fantastic and his gallop out looked great. I couldn’t be there, but Riley Mott gave me a great video. It seems like he really does like that track, unlike in Saudi, where I knew early that he wasn’t liking it.
"(Joel) Rosario was going after him to get involved after he broke and I knew right away we're in trouble. Usually he just gets into the race. That track is deep and I think you need horses who are bigger with bigger feet and heavier (bodies).
“He seems to like Meydan and Dubai,” Carvajal continued. “I could see that (in the work). He just loves to run and run into the bit and I know I’m in good shape when he works like that. He’ll work again next week; an easy work. He puts a lot into his work, so I try to space them out. He looks effortless, but he is going fast and we like to give him an extra couple days.”
As far as a jockey for the March 28 Shaheen, Carvajal said that Rosario and Javier Castellano are the most likely candidates, but no plans have been made. The trainer is set to arrive later this week from the United States.
Per their connections, others considered possible for the race other than Imperial Hint are DeFrancis Dash (G3) winner Killybegs Captain, Dubawi (G3) first and second Gladiator King and Truck Salesman, Mahaab Al Shimaal (G3) winner Wafy, Garhoud Sprint winner Ibn Malik, Palos Verdes (G2) victor Captain Scotty and Saudia Sprint runner-up Matera Sky.