Independence Hall Back to Winning Ways in Fayette

Independence Hall  returned to the winner's circle for the first time in almost a year with a romp in the slop Oct. 30 at Keeneland.

The 4-year-old Constitution   colt made every pole a winning one in the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2), drawing off by 7 1/4 lengths in the end under the guidance of Javier Castellano. 

Independence Hall impressed as a juvenile and an early 3-year-old, winning his first three starts, the latter two being the 2019 Nashua Stakes (G3) and 2020 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. After a second-place effort in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and an off-the-board finish in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), he was put away for more than seven months before he returned to win an allowance optional claimer at Del Mar in November last year, his first start with trainer Michael McCarthy.

Since then, Independence Hall has collected multiple graded placings, including a third in the Jan. 23 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and second in the Oct. 2 Lukas Classic Stakes (G3)—both races won by handicap division leader Knicks Go  .

Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Racing, who co-owns the colt with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, WinStar Farm, and Kathleen and Robert Verratti, was thrilled to see Independence Hall back to his top form.

"He's been a frustrating horse all year long. He's loaded with talent and he's just been really quirky," Gullatt said. "It's taken him a few races to kind of figure out the paddock and how to compete at this level, but he put it all together today. He's such a good horse."

Known for his pre-race antics, Independence Hall was antsy waiting for the gates to open but easily found himself on the lead after breaking from post 5. Castellano took his mount through fractions of :24.24, :48.38, and 1:12.45 for six furlongs. Code of Honor  , winner of the 2019 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), stalked in second about a half-length off the pace under Tyler Gaffalione.

Code of Honor inched closer around the far turn, but Independence Hall repelled the bid and began to open up down the stretch. He ran a mile in 1:37.05 before completing the 1 1/18 miles in 1:50.30 on the sloppy, sealed track.

Code of Honor remained second at the finish line, a length in front of 9-5 favorite King Fury .

"He broke extremely well and put himself in a great position," Gaffalione said. "I was traveling very confidently around the turn, and when I gave him a squeeze to get the horse in front (Independence Hall), I just never got to him and he got away from me. With the way the main track has been playing, the inside has been really good and the speed has been a little favoring. That might have helped the other horse a little bit, but my horse put in a big effort." 

King Fury, a 3-year-old who took the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) in the slop at Keeneland during the spring meet, rallied from mid-pack to finish third 2 3/4 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Night Ops , Militarist , Manhattan Up , Major Fed , and Fort Peck  completed the order of finish. Sleepy Eyes Todd  was scratched.

"Everything changed today from the way I handicapped the race (before Sleepy Eyes Todd was scratched)," Castellano said. "I didn't see too much speed in the race. I made the adjustment myself, (thinking) if you can put him in a good position, a forward position, he can carry himself all the way around the track. I think the key today was breaking good out of the gate. 

"I didn't see much speed, so (I wanted to) dictate the pace and go wire to wire. I had to encourage him a little bit (nearing the wire), but the more you ask him, the more he gives you. He's a really nice horse. The slop helped a lot, too; he loved it, he splashed along and he carried himself. I'm very grateful, very thankful to be here and to be on him. I really appreciate the opportunity."

Independence Hall, the 7-2 third choice, paid $9.00 for a $2 win ticket. He increased his career earnings to $874,000 and holds a 5-2-2 record from 13 starts.

Gullatt said either the Nov. 26 Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) at Churchill Downs or the Dec. 4 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct could be next for Independence Hall as the connections seek a grade 1 win from the colt.

Leading up to the Fayette, trainer Shug McGaughey said Code of Honor could also return in the Clark before beginning stud duties at Lane's End in 2022. Code of Honor was second in the Clark a year ago.

Trainer Kenny McPeek said after the Fayette that King Fury could come back in the Clark as well.

"He runs better when there's a (faster) pace to run at," McPeek said. "It was a good solid run for his first start against older horses. He's always done everything right. We will probably come back in the Clark Handicap." 

Independence Hall was purchased in the name of Charlestown Investments for $100,000 out of Woodford Thoroughbreds' consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds out of the Cape Town mare Kalahari Cat. The mare is also the dam of graded stakes winner Black Onyx, stakes winner and graded-placed Francois, and graded-placed Quality Council. Kalahari Cat foaled a full sister Independence Hall this year and was bred to Bernardini for 2022.

Video: Hagyard Fayette S. (G2)