Stronghold will run in Indiana Derby next, will skip Haskell

The July itinerary has changed for Stronghold, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said on Sunday that the Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday is preferred over the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 20 because of timing. The Haskell had been a consideration for Stronghold in several weeks.

Stronghold worked five furlongs in 59 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday, and worked the same distance at Santa Anita in 59.80 on June 24.

“He’s been so sharp in his last couple of works,” D’Amato said. “I think I’ll look to the Indiana Derby.

“It’s an easy ship from California to Indianapolis and a short van ride. That makes it very appealing.

“I know right now he’s as sharp as he’s ever been.”

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Stronghold will be ridden by Antonio Fresu, who has been aboard the colt for his last five starts. The $300,000 Indiana Derby is run at 1 1/16 miles and will be the first start for Stronghold since a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Stronghold, owned and bred by Rick and Sharon Waller, has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $827,200. Aside from the Santa Anita Derby, Stronghold won the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico in February in his first start of the year.

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