Lubash becomes millionaire with Tropical Turf win
MIAMI, Fla. – Lubash became racing’s newest millionaire after rallying to a popular half-length decision over the pacesetter Reporting Star in Saturday’s $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap at Gulfstream Park West.
Lubash was making a rare venture outside his native New York and his first start in south Florida when going postward the 8-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf. Lubash, a 7-year-old son of Freud, entered the race with career earnings of $951,079.
With Brice Blanc aboard for the first time, Lubash rated five lengths off the early leaders while saving ground through the first seven furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile Tropical Turf. Blanc eased Lubash off the rail for clearance to launch his bid once settling into the stretch, the veteran responding with a strong run down the center of the course to wear down Reporting Star in the final sixteenth of a mile.
Reporting Star, racing with blinkers for the first time in his last three starts, quickly sprinted to a commanding lead while a bit rank on the front end. Reporting Star repulsed a bid from Grand Tito around the final bend, edged clear once again, but proved no match for the winner.
Grand Tito, who gained a short advantage between calls near the quarter pole, gradually weakened but held on to finish third, a half-length in front of Lochte, the lone Grade 1 winner in the field. In turn, he was followed by Edge of Reality, Karibu Gardens, Dreams Cut Short, Rapscallion, and Unbridled Command.
Lubash, who is trained by Christophe Clement for the Aliyu Ben J Stables, earned $59,520 for the victory, increasing his career bankroll to $1,010,599. Lubash completed the distance over a course officially listed as “good” in 1:50.72 and paid $5.40.
“He ran such a great race in New York last time I wanted to give him one more start this year,” said Clement, referring to Lubash’s second-place finish behind archrival Kharafa in the Mohawk at Belmont Park on Oct. 18. “And this race was a better option than taking him to California. He’s got such a great turn of foot. I told the rider [Blanc] just to wait, and the horse will take care of the rest. I think the smart thing now is to give him a rest and bring him back in New York in the spring.”