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."
Ortiz, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1T) Friday with Structor and finished second aboard Shancelot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Saturday at Santa Anita Park, made the cross-country flight worthwhile, earning the first Nashua win for both himself and Trombetta.
"Very impressive. He looked very good first time out. I was there at Parx when he broke his maiden," Ortiz said. "I was very excited about riding him today. Mike told me the first time out 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 quarter 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."
Off at 9-1, Independence Hall returned $21.20 on a $2 win wager. Purchased for $100,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he increased his earnings to $127,500. Trombetta left open the possibility of running in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 7. The race at the Big A offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby to the top four finishers.
"We'll see how he is and talk to the owners and come up with a plan for him," Trombetta said. "This is a great conversation to have. This was a step in the right direction."
Meru, who entered 2-for-2 for trainer Jorge Duarte Jr., held off Todd Pletcher-trained Chase Tracker by one length for second.
