Imperialism Sharp; Baffert Duo Works

Steve Taub's multiple grade II winner Imperialism, getting ready to make his final stop on the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail in the April 3 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 4/5 over Hollywood Park's fast main track Tuesday. Trainer Kristin Mulhall was in the saddle for the work, which was best of 16 at the distance on the day.

"He worked awesome," Mulhall said of the San Vicente (gr. II) and San Rafael Stakes (gr. II) winner. "He's working better than before; better than ever. I've never even had to ask him. He worked in company with (stablemate) So Urgent, who is a really good work horse, and he was leaning into him and trying to intimidate him a little bit. Once he gets rolling there's no stopping him."

Imperialism will have one more work next Monday, Mulhall said.

Over at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert sent his Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winners Wimbledon and Preachinatthebar out for works.

In his second breeze since winning his first stakes on March 7 at Fair Grounds, Wimbledon went five furlongs in :59 1/5 under regular exercise rider Dana Barnes. Preachinatthebar, working for the first time since taking the San Felipe Stakes by a nose, went a half-mile in :46 4/5.

"They both worked nice; I was pleased," Baffert said. "Preachinatthebar looks stronger every day and I'm very happy with the way he went today. He's finally turned into a racehorse. Wimbledon just cruised around there and looked good doing it. Both horses are looking very strong for their (next) Derby preps."

Wimbledon is set to make his next start in the Santa Anita Derby while Preachinatthebar will go in the April 10 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland. Both are 1 1/8-mile main track events.

Also working on Monday in preparation for the Santa Anita Derby was Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Lucky Pulpit, who posted a six-furlong move in 1:14 4/5 for trainer Cliff Sise Jr. The son of Pulpit finished eighth in the San Rafael in his last start.