Independence Hall Faces Two-Turn Test in Sam F. Davis
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Independence Hall after winning the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
When Independence Hall attempts to move a step closer to a spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) Feb. 8 in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), he figures to be closely watched both before and during the 1 1/16-mile stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
As much as the Sam F. Davis will serve as the Constitution 3-year-old's first journey around two turns, scrutiny will also be placed on Independence Hall's antics in the paddock before the race. In his two previous starts, Independence Hall tossed quite a tantrum at Aqueduct Racetrack, though the energy he exerted before those races did not prevent him from recording a pair of easy victories.
A 12 1/4-length winner of the Nov. 3 Nashua Stakes (G3) in stakes record time in his second career start for trainer Michael Trombetta and owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing, and Kathleen and Robert Verratti, the undefeated colt then opened 2020 with a four-length score in the Jan. 1 Jerome Stakes. Both tests came at one-mile, one-turn distances and stamped Independence Hall as a leading Kentucky Derby contender.
Independence Hall kicks up his heels ahead of the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct
In this weekend's second round of Kentucky Derby future wagering, Independence Hall is the morning-line second choice at odds of 10-1 among the 23 individual runners. Only Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Tiz the Law was lower at 8-1.
"In horse racing, there are a lot of circumstances that can come into play," Trombetta said. "You have a lot of horses testing the waters (Saturday) to see how good they are, and all of us have the same goal: to see how far they can take us. We'd love to show up and run big and win the race, but the big picture is a little further down the line."
Bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds out of the Cape Town mare Kalahari Cat, he was RNA'd for $200,000 from the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Before that, he went to Charlestown Investments for $100,000 from the Woodford consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Jose Ortiz will be aboard Independence Hall, who drew post 4.
Foremost among the seven challengers for Independence Hall is Shadwell Stable's Ajaaweed, who closed for second Dec. 7 in the Remsen Stakes (G2), a two-turn, 1 1/8-mile test at Aqueduct.
A maiden winner in his second start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, the 3-year-old son of Curlin was fourth in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland prior to the Remsen.
"He was unlucky not to win, but we were very pleased with his effort (in the Remsen). He's doing very well and we're excited about getting his 3-year-old campaign started and taking the first step to the first Saturday in May, if he'll take us there," McLaughlin said.
As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, 10-4-2-1 qualifying points will be awarded to the top four finishers. Independence Hall already has 10 points and Ajaaweed five.
Beverly S. Anderson and Edward A. Seltzer's Chapalu makes his 3-year-old and dirt debut for trainer Arnaud Delacour in the Sam F. Davis after closing out his 2019 season with a win in the Grey Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on a synthetic course at Woodbine.
The son of Flatter made his first two starts on turf with a first and second to his credit.
Godolphin's Albert Park, a Street Sense homebred, made his dirt debut last time out in the Jan. 18 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay, where he finished second by 5 1/2 lengths to Liam's Lucky Charm in the seven-furlong dash.
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone and Limelight Stables' Sole Volante exits a third-place finish in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, a one-turn mile contest at Gulfstream Park that also served as his dirt debut. A 3-year-old son of Karakontie trained by Patrick Biancone, he captured the Pulpit Stakes on turf in his second of three career starts.
Sonata Stable's Premier Star makes his stakes debut after registering allowance and maiden wins at Gulfstream for trainer Jorge Navarro in his first two starts.
A son of Tapiture , he is coming off a 5 1/4-length triumph in a Jan. 15 allowance optional claimer at seven furlongs.
The Sam F. Davis will be the 11th of 12 races on the Saturday card that is also highlighted by three other stakes, including the Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (G3T), which features Got Stormy, a finalist in the female turf category at the Eclipse Awards.
Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday, February 08, 2020, Race 11Entries: Sam F. Davis S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ajaaweed (KY)
Joel Rosario
118
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
4/1
2
2Sole Volante (KY)
Luca Panici
118
Patrick L. Biancone
8/1
3
3Albert Park (KY)
Pablo Morales
118
Michael Stidham
15/1
4
4Independence Hall (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
122
Michael J. Trombetta
6/5
5
5No Getting Over Me (FL)
Samy Camacho
118
Gerald S. Bennett
20/1
6
6Premier Star (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Jorge Navarro
3/1
7
7Tiz Rye Time (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Ian R. Wilkes
20/1
8
8Chapalu (KY)
Daniel Centeno
122
Arnaud Delacour
8/1
