Lubash fresh heading into West Point
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Despite consistently running well for the last several years, Lubash has lost his last seven stakes tries. That streak could come to an end Sunday, when Lubash heads a contentious seven-horse field entered for the $150,000 West Point, one of six stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day, an 11-race program devoted to New York-breds.
Lubash, the 2012 West Point winner, takes on a field that includes Hangover Kid, the 2013 West Point winner; Notacatbutallama, a multiple Grade 3 winner; and King Kreesa, a multiple stakes winner making his seasonal debut.
The West Point, at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course, is scheduled as the fourth race.
It’s somewhat hard to believe that Lubash last won a stakes May 3, 2013, in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont Park. Since then, he has finished second or third in five stakes while winning two stakes-caliber allowance races.
Lubash ran what his trainer, Christophe Clement, called “a remarkable race” when he won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on closing day at Belmont Park.
Trapped along the inside in the stretch, jockey Junior Alvarado was able to swing Lubash four wide inside the eighth pole, and he came with a furious late run to win by 2 1/4 lengths. He earned a career-best 98 Beyer Speed Figure.
Clement opted to skip an allowance race run here Aug. 3 to await this spot.
“I want to have a fresh horse for the fall,” Clement said. “He’s been remarkably consistent. I hope he can be as competitive as he should be.”
Hangover Kid won the West Point last year and is coming off a head victory over Grandeur in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont on July 12. Trainer Jason Servis skipped the Grade 1 Sword Dancer, hoping this would be an easier spot.
“I think this race came up tougher than I anticipated,” said Servis, whose horse has to give five pounds to everyone in the field.
Key contenders
Lubash (Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-99)
* At age 7, Lubash is running as fast as, if not faster than, he has in his career. His two wins this year were in stakes-caliber allowance races.
* Lubash is more effective on firm ground than yielding or good.
Hangover Kid (Last 3 Beyers: 96-104-29)
* Is 2 for 3 at Saratoga, including a victory in the West Point last year over a turf course labeled “good.”
* Coming off a last-jump win in the Grade 2 Bowling Green going 1 1/2 miles at Belmont.
Notacatbutallama (Last 3 Beyers: 98-90-91)
* Broke an eight-race losing streak with a two-length win in a stakes-caliber allowance race here Aug. 3, when equipped with blinkers for the first time.
* Has a record of 2-2-0 from five starts over Saratoga’s turf course, including a maiden win at 2 at 1 1/16 miles. Also won the off-the-turf Hall of Fame Stakes here as a 3-year-old.
King Kreesa (Last 3 Beyers: 100-32-104)
* Makes his first start since finishing 12th in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin last December. It also is his first start for trainer David Donk.
* Quarter cracks delayed his return to the races.
* Beat Lubash and Notacatbutallama in the Mohawk Stakes last October.
* Finished second to Wise Dan in last year’s Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap here last summer.