Lubash A New Millionaire in Tropical Turf H.
A consistent performer from ages three right through to this, his 7-year-old campaign, Lubash validated favoritsm to record a second win at the Grade III level and crossed the $1-million mark in career earnings in the process. The homebred, who graduated for a $35,000 tag against his fellow New York-breds on the dirt in his second career start, scooped last year’s GIII Fort Marcy S. while adding over $209,000 to his bankroll and returned from a six-month hiatus to best the hard-knocking Kharafa (Kitalpha) in an Apr. 24 allowance over the Aqueduct turf course. The latter reversed form in the May 31 Kingston S. at Belmont, but Lubash atoned for that defeat with a popular allowance score in Elmont July 13. He couldn’t quite reel in loose-on-the-lead King Kreesa (King Cugat) and dropped a head decision to that one in the Aug. 24 West Point S., but turned the table on that rival with a determined neck score in the Ashley T. Cole S. at Belmont Sept. 14 and was exiting a runner-up effort to Kharafa in the Mohawk S. on Long Island Oct. 18. Taking advantage of his low draw in two, Brice Blanc dropped Lubash into a midfield fourth, three back on the fence, as Canadian raider Reporting Star put about five lengths on the field as they raced with one circuit remaining. Ridden cold by the Frenchman while clipping the hedge down the backstretch, Lubash took his cue leaving the three-eighths pole and was ready to roll at the head of the lane. Steered out perfectly around Lochte (Medaglia d’Oro) in upper stretch, Lubash responded to mostly hands-and-heels encouragement from Blanc and pegged back Reporting Star in the final 70 yards for an ultimately comfortable victory. “His last race was so good, I decided to come here for the stake before he is turned out,” said winning trainer Christophe Clement. “He’s a fun horse because he really, really wants to win. He always runs a good race and makes me look good. I like that.”
Saturday, Gulfstream Park West
TROPICAL TURF H.-GIII, $100,000, GPW, 11-22, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:50 3/5, gd.
1–LUBASH, 116, h, 7, by Freud
1st Dam: Nasty Cure (SP, $153,122), by Cure the Blues
2nd Dam: Nastica, by Dynastic
3rd Dam: Rolfina, by Tom Rolfe
O-Aliyu Ben J Stables; B-Aliyuee Ben J Stable Inc
(NY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Brice Blanc. $59,520.
Lifetime Record: 39-12-9-4, $1,010,599. *1/2 to
Netcong (Meadow Flight), SP, $327,924. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A.
2–Reporting Star, 121, g, 4, Circular Quay–Classic
Beauty, by Sword Dance (Ire). O-Copper Water
Thoroughbred Company; B-Gilbert G Campbell (FL);
T-Pat Parente. $19,200.
3–Grand Tito, 117, c, 4, Candy Ride (Arg)–Golden
Arches (Fr), by Common Grounds (GB). ($225,000
yrl ’11 KEESEP). O-Grupo 7C Racing Stable;
B-Hargus & Sandra Sexton & Ben P Walden Jr (KY);
T-Antonio Sano. $9,600.
Margins: HF, 1HF, HF. Odds: 1.70, 6.50, 15.50.
Also Ran: Lochte, Edge of Reality, Karibu Gardens, Dreams Cut Short, Rapscallion, Unbridled Command.
Scratched: Csaba, I’m Steppin’ It Up, Midnight Cello, Valid.
Click for the brisnet.com chart or the brisnet.com PPs. VIDEO.