At the top of the stretch on a sloppy Keeneland track, Code of Honor appeared poised to take over the lead from Independence Hall, but the 2019 Travers winner had no answer for the son of Consitution, who pulled away to win the Grade 2 Fayette at the Lexington, Ky. track.
In a field that included King Fury and Major Fed, it was Independence Hall who was out fastest, taking the lead as the field approached the first turn. Code of Honor settled a length behind him, with Militarist in third. The first two kept their positions throughout, Major Fed and then King Fury moving into third, awaiting their chance to make a run at Independence Hall and Code of Honor.
On the far turn, Tyler Gaffalione pulled the 5-year-old within a half-length of Independence Hall, appearing poised to pass him in the stretch. Instead, Javier Castellano gave his 4-year-old colt some rein and Independence Hall ran away with the G2 Fayette, his margin of victory 7 1/4 lengths at the wire. Code of Honor was second, King Fury third, and Night Ops rounded out the top four.
The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.30. Find this race's chart here.
Independence Hall paid $9.00, $4.40, and $3.20. Code of Honor paid $3.80 and $2.60. King Fury paid $2.60.
Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Independence Hall is out of the Cape Town mare Kalahari Cat. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, WinStar Farm, Kathleen Verratti, and Robert Verratti, the 4-year-old colt is trained by Michael McCarthy. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, he was a $200,000 RNA at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale. His win in the G2 Fayette Stakes is Independence Hall's first win in six starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of 5-2-2 in 13 starts and career earnings of $874,000.
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