Imperative clinches G2 Charles Town Classic Stakes

Bernardini's son Imperative took command April 19 with a stunning victory in the G2 Charles Town Classic. The four-year-old defeated the likes of Game On Dude in the $1.5 million race.

Imperative settled towards the back of the field early in the 1800m. Along the backstretch he advanced into third position, before swinging wide around the turn to take on the lead. In the stretch he kept accelerating and easily ran away with the win.

Imperative finished second in the G2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita in February. Out of the Stakes-winning mare Call Her, he is a half-brother to Graded Stakes winner and G1-placed Battle Won, Stakes winner Nadeshiko, and Stakes-placed Matched. He was bred in Kentucky by Glencrest Farm LLC & Darley.

Imperative becomes the 21st Group/Graded Stakes winner for Bernardini, who went agonisingly  close to recording his seventh G1 winner a day earlier when three-year-old filly Zanbagh flashed home late for second in the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick. Zanbagh also ran second in the G1 VRC Oaks in the Spring.