Stronghold is 5-2 morning-line favorite for Sunland Park Derby

Stronghold, runner-up in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity was tabbed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds set to contest Sunday’s 19th running of the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3).

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Sunland Park Derby will go as race 9 with a post time of 6:17 p.m. The top five finishers will receive points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 2024.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Stronghold jumped on the road to the Kentucky Derby when he finished a close second behind Wynstock in the Los Alamitos Futurity. The son of Ghostzapper began his career based at Churchill Downs but shipped to D’Amato’s Santa Anita Park string in October. The Sunland Park Derby will be Stronghold’s first start of his 3-year-old campaign, and he will once again unite with jockey Antonio Fresu from post no. 5.

Another top prospect entered in the Sunland Park Derby is Smarty Jones Stakes third-place finisher Informed Patriot. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Informed Patriot finished 2 3/4 lengths back of Catching Freedom in the Smarty Jones Stakes on New Year’s Day at Oaklawn. The son of Hard Spun will have the riding services of Joel Rosario and break from the far outside post 8.

No Trouble, Surroundedbyangels and Da Ringo are not currently nominated to the Triple Crown but can become eligible with a $6,000 late payment due April 1.