Trained by Kristin Mulhall, Imperialism has won five times with four seconds and a third from 15 starts, for earnings $437,605, of which $363,000 is graded earnings and assuring him a spot in the starting gate. On March 6, Imperialism won the San Rafael (gr. II), defeating Lion Heart, who ran second in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).
Multiple grade II winner Imperialism will get a new jockey for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), owner Steve Taub said Monday. The gray son of Langfuhr , who had been ridden by Victor Espinoza in all of his three starts since being purchased privately by Taub in early January, will now be ridden by Hall of Fame candidate Kent Desormeaux. "I can't say anything good or bad," Taub said. "It's just the way the cards fell. I'm fortunate to have one of 20 out of about 35,000 foals to make it to the Derby and I'm enjoying every minute of it." According to Taub, Imperialism will leave April 19 for Kentucky to begin his preparations for the Run for the Roses.
