Independence Hall skipping Remsen to await Jerome

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Independence Hall will not run in next Saturday’s Grade 2 Remsen Stakes, but he will likely make his next start at Aqueduct.

Independence Hall, the 12 1/4-length winner of the Grade 3 Nashua here on Nov. 3, is being pointed to the $150,000 Jerome Stakes here on New Year’s Day, trainer Mike Trombetta said Friday. The Jerome is a logical spot in that it is run at the same one-mile distance and over the track at which Independence Hall won the Nashua. The Jerome also offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) to its top four finishers to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

The Jerome also gives Independence Hall two months between races. In the Nashua, Independence Hall earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure – the highest by any 2-year-old earned through Thursday this year.

“We were very concerned about running back five weeks in the Remsen,” said Trombetta, who trains Independence Hall for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing, and Robert and Kathleen Verratti.

Regarding the Jerome, he said, “It’s at a distance that he’s done, a track that he’s done, and it bought him some time off the big race last time.”

Independence Hall worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds at Fair Hill on Nov. 22 and, weather permitting, he is expected to work Sunday at Fair Hill as well.

Independence Hall wasn’t even nominated to the Remsen, a 1 1/8-mile race that also offers 17 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby. Among those expected for the Remsen are Ajaaweed, Amends, Celtic Striker, Forza Di Oro, Informative, and Prince James. Cleon Jones, Country Grammer, and Shotski are possible.