Katie’s Grace became the sixth first-crop winner for Independence Hall, impressively winning a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Woodbine in her career debut.
Owned by Chivalry Thoroughbred Racing LLC and Hubert Vester and trained by Catherine Day Phillips, Katie’s Grace stalked the early pace from mid-pack early. She moved four wide passing the quarter pole and struck the front in the stretch before edging away late to score by a half-length at the wire.
Katie’s Grace is out of the winning Kitten’s Joy mare Bella Joy and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Tiffany Gold. She hails from the family of Grade 1 winners Miss Oceana and Kitwood. An $80,000 graduate of this year’s OBS Spring Sale, Katie’s Grace was bred in Ontario by Northern Dawn Stables Inc. and Sandy Giffin.
In addition to his newest winner, Independence Hall is also represented in his first crop by Grade 1-placed Civil Liberty, who finished third in the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on Sept. 7. In the auction ring this year, Independence Hall’s first 2-year-olds commanded much attention and include a $1 million colt named Rousseau, who was bought by JPM Bloodstock at the OBS March Sale; a $700,000 colt named Black Star acquired by Winchell Thoroughbreds at the OBS Spring Sale; and a $400,000 colt, Tranquillo, who was purchased by Legion Bloodstock for Hoolie Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale.
