By Christie DeBernardis
Imperial Hint (Imperialism) rides a three-race win streak into Saturday's GIII Smile Sprint S. at Gulfstream, which grants the winner a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Capturing a Parx optional claimer Dec. 17, the dark bay followed suit with wins in Laurel's Fire Plug S. Jan. 14 and GIII General George S. Feb. 18, earning a 105 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort.
Awesome Banner (Awesome of Course) boasts a record of 11-6-2-1 at Gulfstream, including victories in last term's GII Swale S. and GIII Hutcheson S. and a runner-up effort in the 2016 GIII Carry Back S. He's winless so far in 2017, most recently finishing third to Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) in Pimlico's GIII Maryland Sprint S. on the GI Preakness S. undercard May 20.
“He's doing really well,” trainer Ken Decker told the Gulfstream notes team. “He came out of the Maryland Sprint in good shape and he's been training back. Basically when he's on his game like he is right now, he goes well within himself and that was a pretty nice work.”
Last term's Smile Sprint winner Delta Bluesman (Wagon Limit) is back to defend his title. Third in a Florida-bred Sprint S. at Tampa Apr. 2, the gray completed the trifecta in Monmouth's Wolf Hill S. last time May 13.
“He loves Gulfstream,” trainer Jorge Navarro said. “I claimed this horse three years ago for $25,000. I know what I'm asking is a lot. But I know when he's right he can beat any horse out there.”
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