Imprimis Still Spotless After $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint

BALTIMORE, MD – Breeze Easy’s Imprimis record remained spotless (even though he didn’t) after scoring his first stakes victory in Friday’s $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Breaking well from post 3 as the 4-5 favorite under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Imprimis rated behind early leader Rocket Heat through the opening 1/4-mile in :23.56. Looming large as he exited the far turn, Imprimis blasted past Rocket Heat after straightening out for home and kicked away clear. The Joe Orseno trainee hit the wire in front by 5 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:03.81 for the 5-furlong sprint over the soft turf course.

“He’s a nice horse,” said Ortiz, Jr. “He makes you feel like you have a lot of horse underneath you, so I rode him with confidence. I rode him for the first time last time (an optional claiming win at Gulfstream Park on March 24); he’s improving and he’s doing pretty good. The going was no problem for him. It’s tough to make up some ground today, but he handled it fine.”

Rocket Heat was no match for the winner in the stretch but still gamely fought off Oak Bluffs to secure second. Field of Courage and Vici completed the order of finish for a field that was cut by half due to the track conditions. Unbridled Daddy, Hogy, Pool Winner, Triple Burner, and Dubini all scratched.

Imprimis now carries a record of four wins in as many starts (all in 2018), though the first three all came at Gulfstream Park. The late-blooming 4-year-old gelded son of Broken Vow has now earned $151,400 for his career.

“It was a big step bringing him here after two allowance races, but his numbers were good enough and he trained like he was that kind of horse, so we decided to take a shot and bring him here,” Orseno said. “It was nice to know we had a lot of horse left (turning for home), when he kicked in and responded really well. He went up to (Rocket Heat) and kind of went right by him. He does what he has to do early and then he just kicks into the next gear.”

Imprimis returned $ 3.60 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.10 to show. Rocket Heat brought back $3 to place and $2.20 to show, while Oak Bluffs paid $2.60 to show.