Stronghold and Endlessly have settled back in at Santa Anita Park following their efforts in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Stronghold, seventh in the Derby, and ninth-place finisher Endlessly each returned to Santa Anita May 7. Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold went to the track for the first time May 9 for a light jog.
"He came out of the race in good shape," trainer Phil D'Amato said.
In the Derby, Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu ranged up to be fourth at the quarter pole only about a length back of the leader, Mystik Dan, who would ultimately prevail. Stronghold was unable to sustain his move through the lane and weakened to finish 12 3/4 lengths behind the winner.
"I thought he got a good stalking trip behind the speed. He made a nice little move at the top of the lane and then kind of faded the final eighth," D'Amato said.
Stronghold, who races as a homebred for Eric and Sharon Waller, is now likely to target some of the Midwest derbies that are held in the summer, D'Amato added. Potential targets for the Ghostzapper colt include the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) June 22 at Thistledown, the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) July 6 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and the $250,000 Iowa Derby July 6 at Prairie Meadows.
"We're going to recharge the batteries and aim for some big stakes down the road," D'Amato said. "We'll focus on mile (to) mile-and-eighth races this year."
For both D'Amato and Fresu, this was their first time participating in the Kentucky Derby.
"It was an amazing experience," D'Amato said. "To be able to enjoy it with your family and with great owners like the Wallers, it was fabulous. Hopefully we can do it every year."
Endlessly Back to Turf
Endlessly, who was trying dirt for the first time, was last passing the stands for the first time under Umberto Rispoli. The Oscar Performance colt remained near the rear of the field before making up ground the final quarter-mile. He finished a length behind Stronghold, 13 3/4 lengths in arrears of Mystik Dan.
"I thought he ran very well all things considered," trainer Michael McCarthy said. "First time dirt, first time getting kickback. He was a little farther back than I would have liked, but he put in a mild run around the turn and finished up nicely."
Owned by Amerman Racing, Endlessly is now 5-0-0 with $707,200 in earnings in seven starts. Prior to the Derby, he won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, both on synthetic. This followed a turf campaign at age 2.
McCarthy said Endlessly will return to turf with his next start likely coming out of state.
"We're going to go ahead and get him back to his routine and look for something in July," he added.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
