Triple Crown trail: 13 works include Santa Anita contenders
Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby winner Stronghold worked a bullet Monday morning at Santa Anita. The son of Ghostzapper covered five furlongs in a quick 58.4 seconds, fastest of 63 at the distance.
Trained by Phil D'Amato, Stronghold, who closed at 48-1 in the fifth Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool, is probable for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
Maymun, another probable for the Santa Anita Derby, also drilled Monday morning. His six-furlong time of 1:12.4 was the joint fastest of three over the distance. Though Maymun is ineligible for the Kentucky Derby because he is trained by Bob Baffert, the impressive allowance winner may show up in later Triple Crown races or major 3-year-old stakes.
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These 10 horses in Las Vegas Kentucky Derby futures worked across the country Monday morning:
Always a Warrior (Poseidon's Warrior) worked three furlongs in 36.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 23 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 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on March 10 for trainer Carlos David.
Heartened (Street Boss) worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Monday morning. It was the fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was 23 days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile and 40 yards on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Imperial Gun (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 24 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Informed Patriot (Hard Spun) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fifth in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Sunland Park on Feb. 18 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Iris's Dream (Jess's Dream) worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Monday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 29 for trainer Cheryl Winebaugh.
Just a Touch (Justify) worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 17 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed second in the Gotham (G3) going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on March 2 for trainer Brad Cox.
Legalize (Constitution) worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 17 works at the distance. His previous work was 17 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed seventh in the Swale going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 3 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Liberal Arts (Arrogate), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Street Sense), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center. In his last start he placed third in the Southwest (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 3 for trainer Robert Medina.
Stronghold (Ghostzapper), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sunland Park Derby), worked five furlongs in 58.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Sunland Park Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Sunland Park on Feb. 18 for trainer Phil D'Amato.
Tapalo (Tapiture) worked six furlongs in 1:12.4 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the El Camino Real Derby going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 10 for trainer John Sadler.
In addition, these three 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert worked Monday. None are eligible for the Kentucky Derby, though they may race in later Triple Crown races.
Imagination (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2024 San Felipe), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 61st fastest of 75 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the San Felipe (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 3 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Maymun (Frosted) worked six furlongs in 1:12.4 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 11 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 61st fastest of 75 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the San Felipe (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 3 for trainer Bob Baffert.