Imperial Hint to Carry American Hopes in Golden Shaheen

The $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) headliner, Imperial Hint, had his last serious work at Meydan toward the 2020 edition of the world’s richest dirt sprint, breezing 800 meters (about four furlongs) March 12 in :47 flat under exercise rider Jose Contreras.

The Luis Carvajal Jr. trainee, owned by Raymond Mamone, went his first 400 meters in about :24 before finishing the final 400 meters down the Meydan stretch in about :23.

His connections hope he can improve upon a 12th-place finish in the SAUDIA Cup Sprint in Riyadh. The 7-year-old son of Imperialism who finished third in the Shaheen last year is a multiple grade 1 winner in the U.S. and represents one of America's best hopes during the March 28 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) undercard in Dubai.

“Jose was really impressed with the work, and so was I,” Carvajal told Dubai publicity from the U.S. “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 were 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. 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.”

According to their connections, others considered for the race are Frank K. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G3) winner Killybegs Captain, Dubawi Stakes Sponsored By Emirates NBD Private Banking (G3) winner Gladiator King, Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored By DP World UAE Region (G3) runner-up Truck Salesman, Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored By Emirates Skywards (G3) winner Wafy, Garhoud Sprint Sponsored By Jafza winner Ibn Malik, Palos Verdes Stakes (G2) victor Captain Scotty, and SAUDIA Cup Sprint runner-up Matera Sky.  

Dubai officials announced March 12 that the March 28 card at Meydan would take place without paid spectators, a precaution to decrease the threat of COVID-19. International travel has also been curtailed between some countries.