Imperial Gesture has yet to equal her Timeform rating of 115 earned when second to Tempera in the Breeders' Cup, but she has earned figures just below that in her two wins this season. The daughter of Langfuhr has won three of six starts.
David Flores will ride Godolphin's Essence of Dubai for the first time in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and also has the mount on Tempera in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Frankie Dettori will ride Imperial Gesture in the Oaks, but will be in England on Derby day to ride Naheef in the Sagitta Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I).Alex Solis rode Essence of Dubai in his four juvenile starts in America, including a three-length win over Ibn Al Haitham in the Norfolk Stakes (gr. II). Dettori was aboard the son of Pulpit for his two wins this season.Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) winner Tempera has performed below her 2-year-old form in two starts as a 3-year-old, but she did improve in her second start of the season when she finished second to Imperial Gesture in the UAE Oaks. Tempera, like Pulpit, is by A.P. Indy and out of a Mr. Prospector mare.