Trombetta fillies have options

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.”

With both fillies being statebreds, Trombetta said he has quite a few options at the upcoming the Gulfstream Park championship meet.

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 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,” said Trombetta. “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 at Gulfstream

Dave Bailey, Gulfstream Park’s racing secretary from 2000-07, will return to 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. 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, 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.”