by Mike Curry

Imperialista notched his first career stakes win and stamped himself a contender for the United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) with a resounding 2 1/4-length victory in the $200,000 Invasor (Arg) - Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 sponsored by Shadwell Farm (UAE-G3) on Thursday at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

A Southern Hemisphere three-year-old colt by Voando Baixo, Imperialista entered the 1,600-meter (7.95 furlong) race off a runner-up finish in the Grande Premio Salgado Filho (Brz-G2) for three-year-olds and older in his native Brazil on October 22.

“This was the most important race of his life, and it was a great win,” said winning trainer Cosme Morgado, who conditions Imperialista for owner Estrela Energia Stables. “He was a very good horse in Brazil, who is used to racing against older horses.”

Under jockey Marcello Cardoso, Imperialista stalked pacesetter Jaffal into the turn, moved up to challenge that foe entering the stretch along with Golden Arrow (Ire), and surged clear in early stretch to win comfortably while completing the distance over a fast track in 1:35.96.

Runner-up Impossible Ski missed the break but closed willingly to finish five lengths clear of Golden Arrow. Jaffal faded to fourth.

South African Group 1 winner Grand Emporium (SAf), winner of the 2005 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (UAE-G3) and Jebel Ali International Hotels Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2), never threatened while finishing 15th of 16 contenders.

Bred in Brazil by Haras Sao Jose Do Bom Retiro, Imperialista is out of the unraced Be My Chief mare Zarumba Bis, a half sister to 1992 Grande Premio Diana (Brz-G1) (Brazilian Oaks) winner Outra Arumba, dam of multiple Brazilian champion Dono Da Raia.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor