Spectator went on to win the Sorrento Stakes and finished second in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks to Midnight Bisou.
[3] Stronghold's sire is Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year and a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
[2] Stronghold made his debut on August 27, in a maiden special weight event over 6 furlongs at Ellis Park.
Putting a head in front at the three-quarter marker, Stronghold then showed his dominance, pushing clear in the stretch despite a valiant effort from Lucky Jeremy for a 2+1⁄2 lengths victory in a time of 1:42.64 setting a new stakes record for the 1+1⁄16 miles.
Facing the Bob Baffert-trained even-money favorite Imagination, jockey Antonio Fresu had Stronghold in fourth behind a first quarter-mile in :22.72 and a half-mile in :46.73.
Stronghold didn't get a completely trouble-free trip, lacking room at the quarter pole before splitting rivals at the top of the stretch.
Antonio Fresu won his first Grade I in the US and Stronghold earned 100 qualification points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby and easily qualified for the first leg of the Triple Crown.