Independence Hall Demolishes Nashua

SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY – Trainer Mike Trombetta had to be pleased with the raw talent that Independence Hall unleashed when he demolished the competition in Sunday’s $150,000 Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.

Breaking from post 5 under Jose Ortiz at 9/1 odds, Independence Hall sat two-wide just off of the rail-breaking early leader Spycraft. The two posted opening fractions of :22.68 and :45.55 before Independence Hall moved ahead to the lead midway through the far turn.

Continuing to stretch his legs as he straightened for home, Independence Hall ran a bit greenly whenever Ortiz presented the whip in the stretch. However, his overall talent proved too much for anyone to overcome before he crossed 12 1/4 lengths the best.

Independence Hall completed the one-turn mile-long event over the fast main track in a final time of 1:34.66.

“I wouldn’t imagine that any of my horses could do that,” Trombetta said. “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.”

Meru was pinched back at the start and had to steady early, but he eventually was able to rally up for second by a length over Chase Tracker. Fourth went to Famished, while the 9/5 favorite Ashaar could do no better than a nose past Liveyourbeastlife for fifth.

A tired Spycraft outlegged only Americanus and Lebda to complete the order of finish. Polar Bear Pete was scratched.

Independence Hall’s win was his second in as many starts, having broken his maiden at Parx on September 21. The 2-year-old son of Constitution has now earned $127,500 for co-owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Kathleen Verratti, and Robert Verratti.

“Very impressive,” Ortiz said. “He looked very good first time out. I was there at Parx when he broke his maiden. 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 1/4-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.”

Independence Hall returned $21.20 to win, $8.20 to place, and $4.20 to show. Meru brought back $5 to place and $3.60 to show, while Chase Tracker paid $4 to show.