Constitution’s undefeated Independence Hall begins Derby Trail with convincing Jerome S. victory

Independence Hall, runaway winner of the Nashua S. (G3) in November, remained undefeated in three starts with a four-length victory in the $150,000 Jerome S. Jan. 1 at Aqueduct.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Robert and Kathleen Verratti, Independence Hall was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds. He banked $82,500 in victory and has now earned $210,000.

Independence Hall was one of Constitution’s four graded stakes winners last year. The WinStar stallion finished 2019 with a First-Crop best 29 individual winners and second-most with $2.2 million in progeny earnings.

A heavy favorite in the Jerome after winning the Nashua by a dozen lengths, Independence Hall was second on the outside until willingly taking over the top spot with a half-mile to run. Opening up by two lengths after six furlongs in 1:12.54, he coasted down the stretch to finish the mile on a “good”, but tiring track in 1:37.27.

Training Michael Trombetta said the dark bay colt to ship south as he preps for the Triple Crown.

“I’ll talk to the partners but I think the plan will be next week to head down to Tampa and train down there and get out of this weather and get him ready for the next step,” said Trombetta. “It could be the Sam F. Davis (G3, Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs). It’s on the radar in five weeks. But the intent after today was to head south.” 

Out of the Cape Town mare Kalahari Cat, Independence Hall is a half-brother to Spiral S. (G3) winner Black Onyx and stakes winner Francois.