Takeaways from 2024 Santa Anita Derby

Apr 09, 2024 James Scully

The last of eight major qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 6 has played an important role in recent decades, and the 1 1/8-mile race will produce at least one starter for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4.

Here are three takeaways from the Santa Anita Derby

Stronghold gamely turns back Imagination

After forcing his way between rivals in upper stretch, Stronghold surged to a short lead with about a furlong remaining in the Santa Anita Derby, but even-money favorite Imagination still had more to offer, rallying back into contention along the inside. It proved to be an exciting battle to the wire, with Stronghold getting the upper hand in the final strides to prevail by a neck.

Antonio Fresu recorded his biggest career win aboard the Phil d’Amato-trained colt.

After finishing second in his first two stakes attempts last fall, the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and Bob Hope (G3), Stronghold has opened his sophomore campaign with consecutive wins in Kentucky Derby qualifiers, taking the Feb. 18 Sunland Derby (G3) by 2 1/2 lengths.

The bay son of Ghostzapper has never finished worse than second from six career starts, and Stronghold owns good positional speed, earning a triple-digit Brisnet E2 Pace rating, as well as a 98 Speed figure, in the Santa Anita Derby.

His pedigree appears suspect for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance, but Stronghold has yet to show any distance limitations in his two-turn engagements, displaying a willingness to fight for the win.

The @KentuckyDerby looms on the horizon for Stronghold, but does he have the pedigree to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May?

That’s a tricky question that requires a nuanced answer.

Here is his KY Derby Pedigree profile ⤵️ https://t.co/T44IbAKwaD

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 21, 2024

Imagination a possible Preakness player

San Felipe (G2) winner Imagination came up a little short in his second stakes appearance, but he will look to make amends in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness (G1) on May 18. The up-and-coming colt isn’t eligible for the Kentucky Derby since he’s trained by Bob Baffert, who is suspended by Churchill Downs.

By Into Mischief, Imagination is the fourth stakes winner from the Grade 2-winning Empire Maker mare Magical Feeling. He will need to keep improving, recording his fourth second from six career starts, but Imagination looks like the type with upside. And Baffert has won a record eight editions of the Preakness.

E J Won the Cup surprises in third, must be supplemented to Triple Crown

A maiden optional claiming winner in late February, E J Won the Cup followed with a convincing win in the March 14 Turf Paradise Derby, but he was not made Triple Crown eligible by the late nomination date on April 1.

Overlooked at 23-1 in the Santa Anita Derby, he loomed a major win contender in upper stretch before weakening late to be a clear third in his first graded attempt. E J Won the Cup was the lone starter in the eight-horse field that wasn’t nominated to the Triple Crown, and connections will need to pay a hefty supplemental fee to make him eligible for any of the races following Saturday's encouraging performance.

The Kentucky Derby doesn't look like a viable option; E J Won the Help needs plenty of attrition to make the field from 29th on the leaderboard presently, but the Preakness may be under consideration.