Independence Hall Returns at Del Mar Nov. 8
Image:
Description:
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Independence Hall trains under exercise rider Alvaro Quinteros at WinStar Farm this summer
A partial cure for a Breeders' Cup hangover after racing at Keeneland Nov. 6-7 might be a dose of Independence Hall Nov. 8 at Del Mar.
The graded stakes-winning 3-year-old, out of action since faltering in a pair of two-turn routes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, returns in a $65,000 allowance optional claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs. He is matched against eight rivals—including stakes winners Anyportinastorm and Sparky Ville, plus the streaking Microrithms—in the eighth and final race.
Though untested against older horses, Independence Hall looms the likely favorite due to his accomplishments last fall and in early winter when he took his first three starts. A first-out winner at Parx Racing, he next captured the Nashua Stakes (G3) by 12 1/4 lengths before adding the Jerome Stakes by four lengths, both at Aqueduct Racetrack. All three races came around one turn from seven furlongs to a mile.
Video
Two-turn tests did not end as auspiciously. He ran second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) behind Sole Volante at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 8 after chasing a fast pace, and in his most recent start he ran a nonthreatening fifth in the March 28 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, beaten 10 1/2 lengths by winner Tiz the Law.
Owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, and R K V Racing chose to freshen him after that race, and the Constitution colt resurfaces with trainer Michael McCarthy for a West Coast campaign. Mike Trombetta trained him previously.
"He looks fantastic. The time seems to have done him a world of good," Aron Wellman, the president and founder of Eclipse, said late last month. "Our primary objective before the end of the year is to take a swing in the Malibu (G1) on opening day at Santa Anita."
The winter stakes schedule at Santa Anita has not been released, but the Malibu Stakes is traditionally run Dec. 26. Last year, Omaha Beach won the seven-furlong race.
After beginning his training at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, Independence Hall has been working at Santa Anita since Sept. 26, recording three moves at five furlongs or longer over the second half of October. His most recent breeze was six furlongs in 1:16 1/5 at Santa Anita Oct. 31.
Mike Smith rides Sunday.