Options abound for Trombetta-trained turf twosome

MIAMI – Independence Hall might be the most noteworthy 2-year-old stakes winner in trainer Mike Trombetta’s barn at the moment, but he isn’t the most recent. That distinction goes to American Giant, who rallied to a two-length victory over stablemate Our Little Jewel in last Saturday’s Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park West.

Both American Giant and Our Little Jewel are Live Oak Plantation homebreds, the former a daughter of More Than Ready and the latter by Hat Trick. Both fillies were making their first start against Florida-bred competition in the one-mile Juvenile Fillies Turf after launching their careers up north.

“I was tickled to death with the way both fillies ran,” said Trombetta by phone from Laurel on Thursday. “To be honest, I thought Our Little Jewel might get to the other filly because two turns is more her style. But American Giant just keeps giving me good news. She’s run on turf three times now and won three times, so you can’t argue with that.”

Trombetta said he has quite a few options for both fillies looking ahead to the Gulfstream Park championship meet.

“One of the reasons I brought these two fillies down there early was because of the opportunities they’ll have against Florida-breds,” Trombetta explained. “I’m not sure if I’ll have the luxury of being able to keep them apart this winter, although [Live Oak] is pretty good about running two in the same race. It happens often, with the thinking being that two chances are better than one.”

Trombetta currently has only four horses stabled at Gulfstream Park but will eventually have 15 stalls during the winter session, one of which may be occupied by his 2-year-old sensation Independence Hall, who earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his 12 1/4-length victory in the Nashua on Nov. 3 at Aqueduct.

“We may run him up north one more time, but ultimately he’ll probably end up at Gulfstream Park,” said Trombetta. “We were originally thinking about bringing him back in the Remsen, but we’re concerned with the five-week turnaround, so we’re looking beyond that now. There are a few options for him up this way we’re considering before he heads down south.”

Independence Hall is campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, and Kathleen and Robert Verratti.

Trombetta also gave an update on stakes-winning 3-year-old Win Win Win, whom he trains for Live Oak. Win Win Win has been idle since his victory in the Manila Stakes at Belmont Park on July 4.

“He’s still on the farm in Ocala,” said Trombetta. “After the Manila, we decided it was time to give him a freshening since he’d gone through the whole Triple Crown thing and been in hard training for over a year. He’ll get some work over the winter at Live Oak, and when they think he’s ready he’ll come back to me. Hopefully by early spring.”

Bailey back as racing secretary

Dave Bailey served as racing secretary at Gulfstream Park from 2000-07, and he will be back at his old post after being appointed to the position by the Stronach Group earlier this week.

Bailey began his career in the Gulfstream racing office in 1979 and was assistant there under Bob Umphrey in 1996 and at Hialeah under Tommy Trotter the following year. He has also served as racing secretary at Arlington Park and Penn National.

“We’re ecstatic to have Dave join Gulfstream Park,” said Mike Lakow, recently appointed vice president of racing for Gulfstream. “Dave has an impressive résumé, has excelled in the position at top tracks, and has a great rapport with horsemen throughout the country.”

Bailey’s first major function upon assuming his new position earlier this week is to help write the first condition book for the 2019-20 championship meeting, which opens on Nov. 29.