Stronghold takes Sunland Derby, climbs to fourth in Derby points

Stronghold picked up 20 points for the Kentucky Derby when he captured the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby by 2/12 lengths over Alotaluck on Sunday. It was another head back in third to pacesetter Lucky Jeremy.

The Sunland Derby was one of six stakes worth $1.1 million on the most lucrative card of the meet. Recharge picked up 20 points for the Kentucky Oaks when she remained unbeaten in three starts in the $250,000 Sunland Oaks. Joel Rosario was aboard in one of four stakes wins he had on the card Sunday.

Stronghold ($4.40), who is a member of Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch, was content to sit just off Lucky Jeremy as that one set fractions of 23.69 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.45 for the half-mile and 1:11.32 for six furlongs. Stronghold moved to the front into the stretch, and continued on through the lane to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.64.

Antonio Fresu was aboard for trainer Phil D’Amato.

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“I liked where I was sitting right there on the outside stalking - this horse likes that spot,” trainer Phil D’Amato said in a post-race interview broadcast by Sunland. “[Alotaluck] kind of came and put a little pressure on us at the half-mile pole, but Stronghold was able to find another gear there and once he shook loose at the top of the lane, I thought we had a really good chance.”

D’Amato went on to credit the ride of Fresu.

Plans going forward are to be determined for Stronghold, the trainer told Sunland.

“Probably one prep we have not determined yet,” D’Amato said, “and hopefully that prep will be just to the Kentucky Derby.”

Stronghold came into the Sunland Derby off a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December. He is based at Santa Anita and prior to that race had run second to Nysos in the Grade 3 Bob Hope at Del Mar.

Stronghold has now accumulated 25 points for the Kentucky Derby and sits fourth on the leaderboard administered by Churchill Downs.

The Sunland Derby was shortened in distance this year from its traditional 1 1/8 miles because the race was held about five weeks earlier than its usual slot in late March.

Alotaluck earned 10 points for second, while others who earned points were Lucky Jeremy (6), fourth-place finisher Curlin’s Kaos (4), and fifth-place finisher Informed Patriot (2).

Stronghold is a son of Ghostzapper and the Grade 2-winning mare Spectator. He races for his breeders, Eric Waller and Sharon Waller. Stronghold has now won 2 of 5 starts for earnings of $377,200.

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