Monday works: Stronghold returns to tab after Oaklawn win
Stronghold returned to the work tab Monday for the first time since winning his 5-year-old debut at Oaklawn. The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner in 2024, trained by Phil D'Amato, worked four furlongs at Santa Anita in 51.8 seconds.
Returning to the track April 17 in Hot Springs for his first start since finishing second in the Pat O'Brien (G2) in August at Del Mar, Stronghold was the 5-2 second choice behind Group 1-placed Bill Mott trainee Bendoog. He battled on the lead through much of the 1 1/16-mile allowance race, putting away Woodcourt in the lane but fighting alongside Bendoog all the way to the wire and ultimately dead-heating with him for the win.
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These 11 graded-stakes winners worked across the country Monday morning:
Brant (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Del Mar Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed fifth in the San Felipe (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 7 for trainer Bob Baffert.
British Isles (Justify), a Grade 1 winner (2026 Santa Anita Handicap), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 43 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed sixth in the Ben Ali (G3) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 18 for trainer Richard Baltas.
King of Gosford (Zoustar), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Shoemaker Mile), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 16 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fourth in the American (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on April 18 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Stronghold (Ghostzapper), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Santa Anita Derby), worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 42nd fastest of 43 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on April 17 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Thought Process (Collected), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2026 Buena Vista, 2025 San Clemente Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the slowest of 14 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start, she won the Buena Vista (G2) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 28 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Bottas (Vekoma), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Pilgrim), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Payson Park on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start, he placed ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Miguel Clement.
Almendares (Havana Grey), a Grade 3 winner (2026 American), worked three furlongs in 36.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the American (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on April 18 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Extra Anejo (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Commonwealth), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Forego (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 23 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Iron Man Cal (Collected), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Zuma Beach), worked three furlongs in 38.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fourth in an allowance race going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on April 12 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Silent Law (Tiz the Law), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Chillingworth), worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the slowest of seven works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed seventh in the La Brea (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 28 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Whatchatalkinabout (Dialed In), a Grade 3 winner (2025 John A. Nerud), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed second in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on April 18 for trainer Wesley Ward.