The day before Stronghold broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last fall, Rick and Sharon Waller bought a filly from the colt’s family for $200,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale. They then hopped on a plane from California to Kentucky to witness Stronghold’s first win in person. In another month, they may have another opportunity to see their horse win at Churchill because Stronghold earned 100 points to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with his victory in the April 6 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Rick becomes emotional whenever he’s talking about Stronghold’s family, having nurtured it since the colt’s fourth dam, One Stop . Along the way has come plenty of heartache, as the third dam, Swiss Diva , died while giving birth to the second dam, Diva’s Tribute . Then Stronghold’s dam, the Jimmy Creed mare Spectator , died while giving birth to him. Stronghold, who was always precious to his breeders, became even more…
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