Imperative’s Connections Hopeful in Classic

It’s been a banner year for trainer George Papaprodromou and the conditioner will look for his good fortunes to continue this Saturday, as he sends out Imperative (Bernardini) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Cyrus native, who now calls Southern California home, claimed Imperative for $50,000 at the end of last year for Kenji Morinaga’s KM Racing. After two seconds in optional claiming company and a seventh in the GI Santa Anita H. to start the season, the 4-year-old gelding pulled off a shocker to win the $1.5 million GII Charles Town Classic Apr. 19. Papaprodromou, a life-long horseman, has a keen eye for picking out horseflesh. 

“The most important thing is their conformation and after that, their pedigree,” Papaprodromou said.

 Third in the GI Gold Cup June 28, the local charge then finished eighth in the GII San Diego H. over the Polytrack July 26 before another third in the GI Pacific Classic and a fifth in the GI Awesome Again Sept. 27. 

The conditioner is hopeful for another big effort from Imperative, stating, “He’s been training great coming out of the Awesome Again and we’re just looking forward to running a huge race again.” 

Imperative will be both Papaprodromou’s and Morinaga’s first Breeders’ Cup runner and both owner and trainer are understandably excited. 

“Having him run in a huge race like this is a great feeling and for Kenji as a new owner in the business and having horses in a big race like this is great,” Papaprodromou said. It’s great, I’m excited. Hopefully we can win the race.”