Stronghold, most recently second behind Seize the Grey in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 21, continues his work toward an expected start in the Grade 1 Malibu on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. The Phil D’Amato trainee worked four furlongs at Santa Anita in 49.4 seconds. The work was his third since the Pennsylvania Derby.

He was not the only Grade 1 winner to drill for D’Amato on Monday morning. The 8-year-old millionaire Rockemperor, winner of the 2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, covered five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Santa Anita. It was his fourth drill since a ninth-place finish in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) on Sept. 28.

These nine horses worked across the country Monday morning:

Exaulted (Twirling Candy), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Shoemaker Mile), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 26 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed seventh in the Lure going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 19 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Rockemperor (Holy Roman Emperor), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed ninth in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Storm the Court (Court Vision), a Grade 1 winner (2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Laurel Park on Sept. 22 for trainer Lacey Gaudet.

Stronghold (Ghostzapper), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Santa Anita Derby), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 43rd fastest of 56 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 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 21 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Easter (Exosphere), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2023 San Gabriel, 2023 Seabiscuit Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the City of Hope Mile (G2) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Silver Prospector (Declaration of War), a Grade 2 winner (2019 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Remington Park on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Remington Park. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Remington Park on Oct. 19 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Balnikhov (Adaay), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Dinner Party, 2023 San Francisco Mile, 2022 Bryan Station), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed 10th in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Ryvit (Competitive Edge), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Chick Lang), worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 35th fastest of 41 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Ellis Park. In his last start he placed fifth in the Kelly’s Landing going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Waskesiu (American Pharoah), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Florida Oaks), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Payson Park on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 18 works at the distance. Her previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Florida Oaks (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 9 for trainer Bill Mott.