Independence Hall has first work after layoff, targets Malibu Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Graded winner Independence Hall, previously based on the East Coast and a 2020 Derby candidate after impressive wins his first three starts, has relocated to the West Coast and posted his first comeback work Saturday at Santa Anita for new trainer Michael McCarthy with the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes as his main objective.

Independence Hall won the Grade 3 Nashua last November at Aqueduct for trainer Michael Trombetta, earning a 101 Beyer that turned out to be the highest figure by a 2-year-old of 2019. The son of Constitution followed with a convincing victory Jan. 1 in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes, his third straight one-turn victory.

He ran below expectations in both subsequent starts at two turns: runner-up as the odds-on favorite in the Grade 3 Sam Davis at Tampa Bay, and fifth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby won by Tiz the Law. Independence Hall was turned out afterward.

Owned by a partnership that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, and RKV Racing, Independence Hall was turned out after the Florida Derby to freshen up and target a one-turn campaign later in the year.

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“The mission is to try to win a Grade 1 with this colt,” Eclipse managing partner Aaron Wellman said Saturday. “During his (time off), it became evident that one race that could very well be right in his wheelhouse is the Malibu, the day after Christmas.

“We asked a lot of him in a short period of time,” Wellman added. After he watched the colt work three furlongs Saturday in 36.40, Wellman said Independence Hall “looks fantastic, he’s really grown up since the Florida Derby."

The seven-furlong Malibu for 3-year-olds is typically run Dec. 26, opening day at Santa Anita. McCarthy won the race in 2017 with City of Light.

McCarthy said Independence Hall “couldn’t look any better. He’s obviously a horse that’s come with a very nice resume. Michael Trombetta did a very good job with him, and we’ll try to add what he’s already done.”

Independence Hall, who rehabbed at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, has won three races and $271,600 from five starts.