Independence Hall, a debut winner at Parx in September, became the fourth graded stakes winner for freshman sire Constitution (Tapit) with a smashing 12-length victory in the GIII Nashua S. at Aqueduct Sunday. The win capped a stellar weekend for co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which celebrated Breeders' Cup success with Sharing (Speightstown) in the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf Friday.
Sent off at 9-1, Independence Hall went quickly to the lead in the one-mile race before allowing longshot Spycraft (Discreet Cat) to take over after a quarter in :22.68. A pressing second through a half in :45.55, the dark bay colt charged back to the lead nearing the stretch and strode clear unchallenged to the wire.
“I wouldn't imagine that any of my horses could do that,” said winning trainer Michael Trombetta, who just prior to the Nashua was represented at Woodbine by Glorious S. winner New York Groove (Verrazano). “I thought this was a great group that was assembled and it was an intimidating bunch of horses, actually. For him to come up and run this well, I don't have the words to describe it. There's not much of a ladder to walk up as far as allowance races and things like that. So it works out. We all have to jump into the water and try our best.”
Independence Hall was making just his second trip to the post. He came from off the pace to graduate by 4 3/4 lengths at Parx on the Sept. 21 GI Pennsylvania Derby undercard.
Asked if the Dec. 7 GII Remsen S. might be next for Independence Hall, Trombetta said, “We'll see how he is and talk to the owners and come up with a plan for him. This is a great conversation to have. This was a step in the right direction.”
Pedigree Notes:
Multiple Grade I winner Constitution is now the sire of four black-type winners–all graded scorers. The stallion's Tiz the Law won the GI Champagne S. in October and he has also been represented by GIII Sanford S. winner By Your Side and GII Sorrento S. winner Amalfi Sunrise. Gouverneur Morris was second in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and Our Country was third in the GIII Pilgrim S.
Kalahari Cat's yearling colt by Nyquist sold for $170,000 at this year's Keeneland September sale. The mare produced a filly by Frosted this year and was bred back to City of Light. Independence Hall's third dam Breezy Stories produced GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Desert Stormer (Storm Cat), who in turn is the dam of graded Sahara Gold (Seeking the Gold). Sahara Gold is the dam of multiple Grade I winner Better Lucky (Ghostzapper).
Sunday, Aqueduct
NASHUA S.-GIII, $150,000, Aqueduct, 11-3, 2yo, 1m, 1:34.66, ft.
1–INDEPENDENCE HALL, 118, c, 2, by Constitution&hid=5588">Constitution
1st Dam: Kalahari Cat, by Cape Town
2nd Dam: Desert Stormette, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Breezy Stories, by Damascus
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($100,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $200,000 RNA 2yo '19 FTFMAR). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC Kathleen and Robert N. Verratti; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Michael J. Trombetta; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $127,500. *Fourth graded-stakes winner for freshman sire (by Tapit). **1/2 to Quality Council (Elusive Quality), GSP, $248,743; Francois (Smarty Jones), SW & GSP, $381,485; and Black Onyx (Rock Hard Ten), GSW, $418,860. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk
Nick Rating: B+.
2–Meru, 122, c, 2, Sky Mesa–Lady Lavery, by Elusive Quality. ($75,000 Ylg '18 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Colts Neck Stables LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Jorge Duarte, Jr. $30,000.
3–Chase Tracker, 118, c, 2, Verrazano–Nutmeg, by Lemon Drop Kid. ($67,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marcuzzi Thoroughbreds Inc (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $18,000.
Margins: 12 1/4, 1, 3HF. Odds: 9.60, 2.60, 4.50.
Also Ran: Famished, Ashaar, Liveyourbeastlife, Spycraft, Americanus, Lebda. Scratched: Polar Bear Pete.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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