Imperial Hint Fires Another Bullet Breeze at Tampa

Raymond Mamone's Imperial Hint, who was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) the morning of the race, turned in his third consecutive bullet breeze Dec. 15 since shipping to Tampa Bay Downs for the winter with trainer Luis Carvajal Jr.

The 6-year-old son of Imperialism breezed five furlongs in :59 Sunday morning, the fastest of 23, under assistant trainer Alejandro Contreras. He also worked the fastest five furlongs Dec. 3 and the quickest half-mile Nov. 18, his first breeze back since the Breeders' Cup.

"I don't think I've ever seen a bad or so-so work. Usually, he puts effort in the work, even though he's settling and doing everything himself," Carvajal said. "That was a good work this morning."

Imperial Hint is slated to face X Y Jet in the Dec. 21 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. He was at Santa Anita Park for the Breeders' Cup Sprint following repeat victories in the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) but was scratched after he developed a blister on his coronet band during the application of glue-on shoes.

"He's been very sound. He had a small issue with his foot, but it's not a concern," Carvajal said. "It was a mild thing."

Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm's X Y Jet, who hasn't raced since winning the March 30 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1), is scheduled to breeze at Palm Meadows Training Center for a final Mr. Prospector tuneup.

"These workouts now are just to keep him happy," trainer Jorge Navarro said.