Stronghold, Santa Anita Derby winner, targets Malibu Stakes

Stronghold, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April, is on schedule for the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 after working five furlongs in 59.80 seconds there on Sunday.

Stronghold had the fastest of 58 recorded works at the distance.

“His last two works have been pretty sensational,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I‘m happy with the way we’re going.”

Stronghold worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Dec. 1.

Owned by breeders Eric and Sharon Waller, Stronghold is winless in three starts since the Santa Anita Derby – a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, and second-place finishes in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6 and in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 21.

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Stronghold was considered for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2, but was held out of the race in favor of the $300,000 Malibu for 3-year-olds.

“I think he’s benefited from that little freshening,” D’Amato said. “Giving him a little breather after the Penn Derby and bypassing the Breeders’ Cup can prove fruitful on opening day.

“He seems on his toes.”

There are three Grade 1 races for 3-year-olds worth $300,000 on the Dec. 26 opening day program at Santa Anita. D’Amato said he plans to start One Magic Philly in what could be an excellent running of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

One Magic Philly, winner of the Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes against older fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 5 in her stakes debut, was sixth of nine, beaten 2 3/4 lengths in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

One Magic Philly worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Tamara, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-olds fillies in 2023, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds for trainer Richard Mandella at Santa Anita on Sunday.

D’Amato said on Sunday that he does not have plans for a starter in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

D’Amato won the race in 2022 with Rhea Moon.

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