Qurbaan repeats in Bernard Baruch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – One year shy a day after becoming a graded stakes winner in the U.S. for the first time when capturing the 2018 Bernard Baruch, Qurbaan became a graded stakes winner for the second time after defending his title in the Grade 2 fixture decided over a soft turf course on closing day of the 2019 Saratoga meeting.

Qurbaan had gone winless in seven starts since the 2018 Baruch although he’d been Grade 1 stakes-placed three times during that period. He had also run well on several occasions over less than firm ground, a key factor considering the fact the 1 1/16-mile Bernard Baruch was decided over a soft inner turf course after originally being carded to be run on the Mellon course, a change not announced to the crowd until after the field left the paddock.

Qurbaan was bumped leaving the gate but settled into good position saving ground just off the pace of Dream Friend. Jockey Joel Rosario found ample room to slip Qurbaan through along the rail while commencing their bid into the stretch, readily running by the tiring leader at the three-sixteenths pole before steadily increasing his advantage to the wire. The final margin over runner-up Sacred Life was 2 1/2 lengths.

Sacred Life raced forwardly placed from the outset and was easily second-best, finishing 2 1/4 lengths in front of Dream Friend. Emaraaty, Olympico, and March to the Arch rounded out the complete order of finish.

Qurbaan, who joined trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn here last summer prior to his victory in the Baruch, is a 6–year-old son of Speigthstown owned by Shadwell Stable. He covered the distance in 1:45.20 and paid $8.20.

“It was a great win,” said McLaughlin. “It’s been a little bit of a slow meet for us, although it’s been nice we won three stakes. He’s one of our barn favorites and he’s been unlucky several times, with little excuses. But today everything went perfect.”

McLaughlin confessed that like most everyone else, he was not aware the Baruch had been switched to the inner course until shortly before the race.

“I first learned about it in the paddock, which was good because I didn’t have time to worry about it,” said McLaughlin. “We ran well on yielding turf earlier in the meet so we knew he liked it here yielding, but you never know how slow it is, or how deep it is, or how they’re going to handle it. We’re never sure, but we’re happy after the fact.”

McLaughlin also praised Rosario for his ride.

“Joel is very good after riding a horse a time or two,” McLaughlin said. “He rode him last time, he knows the horse. Sometimes he can be too keen or sometimes he can be too far back. He rode him perfectly.”

McLaughlin said naturally, the Shadwell Mile on Oct. 5 at Keeneland would be up next for Qurbaan, who finished third in the race sponsored by his owners last fall.

“That’s the race we’ve been pointing for all year,” said McLaughlin.