Freely Held, after earning a runner-up finish at odds of 28-1 on debut at Parx, became freshman sire Independence Hall's first winner here.
A distant second to long-gone Flying Hawaiian (Maximus Mischief) in that July 21 contest, he broke on top Friday from his outside post in this second attempt at graduation. Rounding the far turn after an opening quarter in :22.54, even-money favorite Black Volt (Cairo Prince) moved up inside to get on even terms with Freely Held. As they hit the top of the stretch, the son of Independence Hall took command once again, kicking clear through the stretch to score by 6 1/2 lengths at 5-1 odds. Bootleg Runner (Runhappy) came on late to claim second from the betting choice.
Dam Kept is a half-sister to SW Welcome Home, who is responsible for MGSP & SW Pool Winner (Broken Vow) and MSP Sounds of the City (Street Cry {Ire}). The mare has produced a yearling filly by Thousand Words and a weanling colt by Mitole. She was bred back to Speaker's Corner for the 2026 season.
4th-Delaware, $43,250, Msw, 8-15, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:05.80, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
FREELY HELD (c, 2, Independence Hall–Kept, by Exchange Rate) Sales history: $30,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $75,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $35,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Happy Tenth Stable; B-Three Lyons Racing, LLC (KY); T-Daniel Velazquez.
Freely Held, 2yo C by INDEPENDENCE HALL 🔔, is dominant at @DelParkRacing breaking his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths!
Congratulations to breeder, Three Lyons Racing!#BellRinger pic.twitter.com/g6BWZxw4D6
— WinStar Farm (@WinStarFarm) August 15, 2025
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
