18Stronghold

Californian breeders Rick and Sharon Waller are hoping to eye the big time with their homebred three-year-old Stronghold this year.

From a family they have nurtured for years, the Wallers have produced a colt who from the stable of Philip D’Amato has become their second graded stakes winner.

The first graded stakes winner for them was Stronghold’s dam Spectator, winner of the Sorrento Stakes (G2) at two and subsequently Grade 1-placed in both the Del Mar Debutante and the Santa Anita Oaks. Following her racing career she was sent in 2020 to Ghostzapper, sire of top-class horses such as Goodnight Olive and Mystic Guide, but she died giving birth to that foal, Stronghold.

Ghostzapper is primarily known for siring sprinter-milers but he has produced horses capable of staying 1 1/4 miles such as Mystic Guide and Shaman Ghost and it remains to be seen if he has transmitted enough stamina for the Kentucky Derby.

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