Odds-on Cross Border stays perfect at Saratoga with Lubash victory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - With a four-horse field and 1-5 favorite, the $85,000 Lubash for New York-breds didn’t figure to provide much drama. And that proved to be the case except for the battle for second money which took place 6 1/4 lengths behind Cross Border, who drew off to an easy victory while returning to both statebred company and his favorite course Wednesday at Saratoga.

Cross Border was back against New York-breds in the 1 1/16-mile Lubash off a big effort just 18 days earlier when finishing fifth, beaten only a length by Instilled Regard, in the Grade 1 Manhattan at Belmont Park. He came into the Lubash sporting a perfect mark in three previous starts over the Saratoga turf.

With Jose Ortiz aboard, Cross Border settled in a perfect spot just behind embattled leaders Blewitt and The J Y. Ortiz bided his time before asking Cross Border to pick up his pace near the five-sixteenths pole. The favorite came three wide to engage for command into the stretch, readily edged clear nearing the furlong grounds, then increased his advantage while kept under steady coaxing to the end.

Rapt ultimately won the battle for second, rallying from last to nail the tiring Blewitt by a nose in the final stride. The J Y finished fourth and last. Dante’s Fire and main-track-only entrant Yankee Division were scratched.

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Mike Maker trains Cross Border for Three Diamonds Farm. The winner completed a mile and one-sixteenth over firm footing in 1:41.75 and paid $2.60.

“He’s done well in the past stalking and on paper he looked like the class,” Maker said. “He obviously has done well over this track in the past. Being a New York-bred and the conditions he had helped him here last year, and a four-horse field and a drop in class like this again today can’t hurt. This race should set him up for something down the road, either another New Yor-bred stakes or possibly the Sword Dancer.”

The Grade 1 Sword Dancer will be run at 1 1/2 miles on Aug. 29.