Chelsea Durand / NYRA Photo

Independence Hall breaks free from rest of field in 12 1/4-length G3 Nashua romp

by Brian Bohl

Independence Hall built on a 4 ¾-length score in his debut on September 21 by posting an even larger margin of victory in his stakes debut. The Constitution colt ran away from the rest of the field in the stretch for a 12 1/4-length romp in the 45th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Nashua for juveniles on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Michael Trombetta trainee, who came from off the pace before surging in the stretch in his first start at Parx, was more forwardly placed in his second effort, with jockey Jose Ortiz keeping him in second position behind Spycraft's early speed, with the opening quarter-mile in 22.68 seconds and the half in 45.55 on the fast main track.

Under a confident ride from Ortiz, Independence Hall took command out of the final turn and again thundered home in the stretch, dominating the nine-horse field to complete the one-turn mile in 1:34.66 for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert Verratti, Kathleen Verratti and Twin Creeks Racing Stables.

"I wouldn't imagine that any of my horses could do that. I thought this was a great group that was assembled and it was an intimidating bunch of horses, actually," Trombetta said. "For him to come up and run this well, I don't have the words to describe it."

Ortiz, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday with Structor and finished second aboard Shancelot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint yesterday at Santa Anita, made the cross-country flight worthwhile, earning the first Nashua win for both himself and Trombetta.

"Very impressive. He looked very good first time out. I was there at Parx when he broke his maiden," Ortiz said. "I was very excited about riding him today. Mike told me the first time out that the only thing he didn't do well was break. Today, he broke really clean and I had to go ahead with him. When I went to the crop at the quarter-pole I knew the race was done. I don't think any other 2-year-old out there can kick like him. He seems special."

Off at 9-1, Independence Hall returned $21.20 on a $2 win wager. Purchased for $100,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Sale, he increased his career earnings to $127,500. Trombetta left open the possibility of running in the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen on December 7 at the Big A, which offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points for the 2020 Kentucky Derby to the top-four finishers.

"We'll see how he is and talk to the owners and come up with a plan for him," Trombetta said. "This is a great conversation to have. This was a step in the right direction."

Meru, who entered 2-for-2 for trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr., held off the Todd Pletcher-trained Chase Tracker by one length for second.

Famished, Ashaar, Liveyourbeastlife, Spycraft, Americanus and Lebda completed the order of finish. Polar Bear Pete was scratched.

Live racing will resume at Aqueduct on Thursday with a nine-race card. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.