Independence Hall Romps in Aqueduct’s Nashua Stakes
Independence Hall built on a 4 3/4-length score in his Sept. 21 debut, posting an even larger margin of victory in his first stakes.
The 2-year-old Constitution colt ran away from the rest of the field in the stretch to post a 12 1/4-length romp in the $150,000 Nashua Stakes (G3) for juveniles Nov. 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Michael Trombetta trainee, who came from off the pace before surging in the stretch during his first start, was more forwardly placed in his second effort, with jockey Jose Ortiz keeping him in second behind Spycraft, with the opening quarter-mile in :22.68 and the half-mile in :45.55 on the fast main track.
Independence Hall took command off the final turn and thundered home in the stretch, dominating the nine-horse field to complete the one-turn mile in 1:34.66 for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert Verratti, Kathleen Verratti, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables.
“I wouldn’t imagine that any of my horses could do that. I thought this was a great group that was assembled, and it was an intimidating bunch of horses, actually,” Trombetta said. “For him to come up and run this well, I don’t have the words to describe it.”