Lubash Prevails in Tropical Turf

 “His last race was so good, I decided to come here for the stake before he is turned out,” said Clement Saturday at Gulfstream Park West. 

Lubash certainly didn’t look like he was in need of a break while posting a thoroughly professional triumph by a half-length in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (G3) under jockey Brice Blanc.  

“He’s a fun horse because he really, really wants to win,” said Clement following his New York-bred warrior’s 12th career victory and 25th in-the-money finish in his 39th start. “He always runs a good race and makes me look good. I like that.” 

Lubash, the 8-5 favorite in a field of nine, settled nicely in mid-pack as Canadian invader Reporting Star opened up a clear lead around the first turn and along the backstretch. Reporting Star continued to show the way around the far turn and into the top of the stretch while receiving a stiff challenge by Grand Tito. The pacesetter responded to jockey Carlos Marquez Jr.’s urging to continue to show the way into deep stretch, only to be passed by Lubash, who was swung wide for the drive and responded with his usual late kick. 

Lubash’s first graded-stakes victory since his triumph in the May 2013 Fort Marcy (G3) at Belmont Park was completed in 1:50.72 for the 1 1/8 miles over a turf course labeled ‘good.’

 

“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 Christophe said, I just kind of bided my time and see how soft the ground will be. He told me to just be patient because he’s got a great turn of foot, so just try to follow a good path,” said Blanc, who is currently based in Southern California. “ 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.”

 

Blanc also rode the Clement-trained Cushion to a fast-closing second behind Daring Kathy in the co-featured $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (G3) two races later on the Gulfstream Park West program.  

“I tried to get any of the three or four top guys here to ride my two horses. None of them would give the commitment to ride the two horses. That upset me, because I wanted someone to ride the two horses. I didn’t want one of them left without a top rider,” Clement said. “I’ve been very lucky with Brice. He’s a very underrated rider.” 

Lubash earned $59,520 for Aliyu Ben J Stables, pushing his career bankroll past the $1 million mark. The son of Freud will now be turned out for a well-deserved break before returning for his 8-year-old season.

“But he’s a young 8. I trained a horse for Mrs. (Charlotte) Weber named Revved Up who was a stakes winner at 10,” Clement said. “I think the way we campaign, we look after them, and obviously he’s very sound. It’s fine.” 

Reporting Star, who had finished sixth in the Canadian International (G1) in his last start at Woodbine, finished 1 ½ lengths ahead of Grand Tito. Lochte, the 2014 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) victor finished fourth, another half-length back. Reporting Star carried high weight of 121 pounds, five more than the winner. 

“I had a great trip. I think I got pushed a little bit too early on the backside,” Marquez said. “I can’t take anything away from him; he really tried hard.”