After a 2025 campaign that only saw him break from the gate twice, 2024 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold proved he's back to top form May 31 with a strong victory in the $100,000 Triple Bend Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
The victory was the 5-year-old son of Ghostzapper's second since returning from an eight-month layoff. On April 17, he won in a dead heat with Bendoog in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Oaklawn Park, marking his first trip to the winner's circle since the Santa Anita Derby.
However, Stronghold is as consistent as they come. He closed out his 3-year-old campaign strong with runner-up efforts in the Indiana Derby (G3), Pennsylvania Derby (G1), and Malibu Stakes (G1). He also was second in his last of two starts at four in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
The homebred of Eric and Sharon Waller's has finished in the exacta now in 12 of his 14 starts, earning $1,339,200. He is the first foal out of 2017 Sorrento Stakes (G2) winner Spectator, who has continued a family the Waller's have maintained over the years.
"I bought his fourth dam (One Stop) at an auction at Barretts over at Pomona years ago. This is a result of the breeding coming through," Eric Waller told Santa Anita's Zoe Cadman in the winner's circle. "I'm glad that he's back in good form. We're looking forward to using this win to catapult us into a wonderful summer."
With Antonio Fresu aboard, Stronghold broke well from the outside of the five-horse field and settled as 2024-25 Chilean Horse of the Year The Goat, making his United States debut and first start since December 2024, went out to set the pace. After it appeared the pace may settle that way, Simple Song and jockey Kazushi Kimura rushed up between the pair and took command, resulting in a hot :21.88 opening quarter-mile.
Stronghold's natural ability kept him in pursuit and forced Simple Song to stay honest on the lead while The Goat was outpaced back in third. After a half-mile in :44.31, Stronghold cruised into contention at the quarter pole. Simple Song stuck with him at first, but Stronghold was too much in the final furlong and won going away by 2 1/2 lengths. Bartholdy would come up to get third while The Goat finished fourth.
Stronghold paid $3.00 to win as a heavy favorite. He completed 7 furlongs in 1:21.36.
"He was just really sharp. I told Antonio he was gonna be sharp," trainer Phil D'Amato told FanDuel TV's Joaquin Jaime. "I sensed he was ready for a big one, and he lived up to it today. This horse is very special to me and the Wallers, and hopefully we can take a notch up next time at Del Mar, we've got some more options there. I was very proud of his performance today."
Having proven effective over both sprint and route distances throughout his career, many doors are open for Stronghold moving forward.
"That's going to be the tough one," D'Amato said about the decision to sprint or route the remainder of the year. "I like the Pat O'Brien at the end of the meet, but who knows, maybe we go long. I don't know, but we're just going to feel him out and let him tell us. The nice thing is we have a lot of nice options ahead."
In addition to the $250,000 Pat O'Brien over 7 furlongs Aug. 29, Eric Waller also mentioned the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) over 1 1/16 miles July 18 as a possible Del Mar option. However, they are not committed to staying in California if they feel a better option suits him elsewhere. Waller mentioned both the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) over 7 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 29 and the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2) over a three-turn 1 1/8 miles as potential out-of-state options.
"There's just a lot of choices when you have a horse this good," Waller said.
Stronghold is the third graded stakes winner this season for Ghostzapper, who also sired this year's Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1) winner Segesta. The 2004 Horse of the Year has been pensioned from stud duties.
