Photo: Natalie Fawkes
Aliyu Ben J Stables’ homebred Lubash (Freud) became New York’s latest millionaire as well as a multiple graded stakes winner on Saturday afternoon when he captured the Grade 3, $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap at Gulfstream Park West under a confident ride by Brice Blanc in the final start of his 7-year-old campaign
Sharp out of the gate, 3-2 favorite Lubash was allowed to settle comfortably in fourth place at the hedge in the early stages of the nine-furlong race, while Reporting Star clocked a moderate first half-mile in 50.34.
Beginning to pick up steam in the far turn, Lubash angled out at the head of the stretch and began a four-wide rally. Cruising by his competition inside the final furlong, the bay secured his victory over Reporting Star by a half-length stopping the clock at 1:50.72 after a 1 1/8 miles over “good” turf.
The victory was Lubash’s eighth career stakes win and second Grade 3 victory. A model of consistency, he has finished first or second in seven starts this year, has not been off-the-board since August 2013 and has now earned $1,010,599.
Photo: Lauren King
Blanc said, “I had the perfect post. The two speed horses were inside and outside of me at the break. Actually, he broke really sharp and kind of put me in a really good spot. Then, like [trainer] Christophe [Clement] said I just kind of bide my time and see how soft the ground will be.”
Continued Blanc, “[Clement] told me to just be patient because he’s got a great turn of foot, so just try to follow a good path. Pretty much, that’s how it came up. I got around the turn and I was riding between horses. I followed a couple of the horses in front of me and eased out, and when I straightened away he just kicked for me right away.”
Clement explained his decision to take Lubash on this rare out-of-state road trip. “His last race was so good, I decided to come here for the stake before he is turned out. 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.”
The conditioner said that Lubash will turned out for the winter and return to the races next as “a young eight.” Added Clement, “I think the way we campaign, we look after them, and obviously he’s very sound. It’s fine.”
Photo: Natalie Fawkes
Lubash was trained at three and four by James Ryerson, for whom he won his first three stakes victories (the NYSS Cab Calloway Division, open Fifth Marine Stakes and open Monarch’s Maze). After moving to the Clement Barn in 2012 he has gone from strength to strength, led by his Grade 3 victories in the Tropical Turf Handicap and Belmont’s Fort Marcy in May 2013. His career record now stands at 12 wins, nine seconds and four thirds.
Foaled at Carapan Farm, Lubash is the most successful offspring of Nasty Cure, a stakes-placed daughter of Cure the Blues ($153,122), who has produced five multiple winners including stakes-placed New York-bred Netcong by Meadow Flight, who started 87 times and banked $327,924.
