Argentine Gr. I winner Imperador sharp second in U. S. debut

Imperador is an Argentine-bred son of Treasure Beach who presents a little bit of a puzzle. He was foaled in Argentina on Oct. 26 of 2016, which makes him a 4-year-old for racing purposes in South America, but a 3-year-old in the U. S.

In Argentina, Imperador was one of five Gr. I winners sired by Treasure Beach, starting eight times and posting a record of 3-2-0. He captured two Gr. I stakes, was second in a Gr. I, and second in a Gr. III, while earning $104,503. He hadn’t been seen his last race at San Isidro on March 14 until yesterday, when he showed up in an $81,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.

The betting public obviously dismissed his success down south and Imperador was sent off at 13-1 in the race at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. With Joe Talamo aboard, he sat a perfect trip in second for a mile, and in the final sixteenth was engaged in a three-way battle to the wire, finally ending up second by half a length. He earned $11,680, boosting his career total to $116,183, while posting an excellent Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 106. Expect better things ahead.