Kharafa turns tables on Lubash in Kingston

ELMONT, N.Y .- Kharafa parlayed a perfect trip into a one-length victory over arch-rival Lubash in the $125,000 Kingston, the first of six stakes decided on Saturday’s New York Showcase card at Belmont Park.

Javier Castellano was back aboard Kharafa for the first time since guiding the New York-bred gelding to victory against open company last fall at Aqueduct. And he put Kharafa in striking position right from the outset, stalking the early pace of Street Game. Kharafa fanned wide off the turn, gained the advantage in early stretch, and then fended off Lubash to reverse a neck setback to that rival five weeks ago in an optional claiming race at Aqueduct.

Lubash, breaking from the rail, appeared a bit rank early while steadying in traffic down the backstretch. He found ample room inside the drifting leaders entering the stretch but proved no match for the winner while easily second best. Hidden Vow rallied belatedly to outfinish Compliance Officer by a nose to be third.

Kharafa is trained by Tim Hills for the partnership of Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch. He completed a mile over a firm course in 1:32.85 and returned $6.80. The win was the fifth in 10 starts over the local course for Kharafa.

“It’s just the flow of the race between these two horses,” said Hills. “Javier has Kharafa’s number. He knows how to ride him. He gets a little strong, almost rank, and he picks his hands up off his neck rather than wrestling with him and he calms down. It makes all the difference in the world.”

Hills said he will stay with the New York-bred series although he’s hoping to get at least one more race written at Belmont for Kharafa before the end of the meet.

“I believe there’s one coming up at Saratoga,” said Hills, referring to the $150,000 West Point on Aug. 24. “But I think maybe we’ll be able to find something in between, hopefully right here, because he really loves this course.”