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 Corridor impressed as a juvenile and an early 3-year-old, profitable his first three begins, the latter two being the 2019 Nashua Stakes (G3) and 2020 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. After a second-place effort within the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and an off-the-board end within the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), he was put away for greater than seven months earlier than he returned to win an allowance non-obligatory claimer at Del Mar in November final 12 months, his first begin with coach Michael McCarthy.
Since then, Independence Corridor has collected a number of graded placings, together with a 3rd within the Jan. 23 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and second within the Oct. 2 Lukas Basic Stakes (G3)—each races received by handicap division chief 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 is been a irritating horse all 12 months lengthy. He is loaded with expertise and he is simply been actually quirky,” Gullatt stated. “It is taken him a number of races to type of determine the paddock and how one can compete at this degree, however he put all of it collectively immediately. He is such an excellent horse.”
Independence Corridor’s connections benefit from the trophy presentation for the Fayette Stakes
Recognized for his pre-race antics, Independence Corridor was antsy ready for the gates to open however simply discovered himself on the lead after breaking from submit 5. Castellano took his mount by 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.
Independence Hall (No. 5) gets off to a good start in the Fayette Stakes
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 may very well be subsequent for Independence Corridor because the connections search a grade 1 win from the colt.
Main as much as the Fayette, coach Shug McGaughey stated Code of Honor may additionally return within the Clark earlier than starting stud duties at Lane’s Finish in 2022. Code of Honor was second within the Clark a 12 months in the past.
Coach Kenny McPeek stated after the Fayette that King Fury may come again within the Clark as properly.
“He runs higher when there is a (sooner) tempo to run at,” McPeek stated. “It was an excellent strong run for his first begin in opposition to older horses. He is all the time performed all the pieces proper. We are going to most likely come again within the Clark Handicap.”
Independence Corridor was bought within the title 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 City mare Kalahari Cat. The mare can be the dam of graded stakes winner Black Onyx, stakes winner and graded-placed Francois, and graded-placed High quality Council. Kalahari Cat foaled a full sister Independence Corridor this 12 months and was bred to Bernardini for 2022.
Video: Hagyard Fayette S. (G2)
