BY BROCK SHERIDAN
2018–Florida-bred Imperial Hint became a millionaire with a neck victory ahead of Whitmore in the Grade 2 True North at Belmont Park. Ridden by Javier Castellano for owner Raymond Mamome and trainer Luis Carvajal Jr., the “Little Rocket” earned $137,500 in winning the True North to push his career bankroll to $1,017,650 at the time.
Imperial Hint, who typically raced on or near the lead in his previous 15 races, came from fourth to join frontrunning Bobby Abu Dhabi turning for home. Those two continued their battle down the stretch until Imperial Hint took over while passing the sixteenth pole to win his tenth career race in 1:15.02. Bobby Abu Dhabi held on for third with Florida-bred Always Sunshine fourth. Recruiting Ready and Westwood completed the order of finish.
Imperial Hint paid $5.40 to win.
By Imperialism out of Royal Hint, by Lahint, Imperial Hint was bred in Florida by Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc. He retired with 14 wins in 25 starts with two seconds and four thirds and a bankroll of $2,209,055.
