Stronghold won a stretch duel against favored Imagination and emerged victorious in the $750,000 Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 6 at Santa Anita Park.
Trained by Phil D’Amato, Stronghold came into the Santa Anita Derby with a solid shot and was the 2-1 second choice, but as with most 3-year-old graded stakes at Santa Anita, he had to beat the powerful Bob Baffert barn in order to get the win. Stronghold also had to go up against the force of nature that was Frankie Dettori, Imagination’s jockey. Dettori was riding an incredible day that had already netted him six consecutive wins, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks aboard Baffert-trained Nothing Like You.
None of that could stop Stronghold. He earned a neck decision over the Baffert-trained even-money favorite Imagination and paid $6.40 to win. Stronghold earned 100 qualifying points on the road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, more than enough to secure a…
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