Cross Border the best in $85k Lubash
Three Diamonds Farm’s Cross Border supported his heavy favoritism and kept a perfect record at Saratoga intact with a 6 ¼-length triumph in the inaugural running of the $85,000 Lubash on Wednesday over the Mellon turf at Saratoga Race Course.
The Mike Maker-trained dark bay son of English Channel arrived at the 1 1/16-mile event for New York-breds off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Manhattan on July 4 at Belmont Park, where he finished a length to Instilled Regard. Wednesday’s race was his first start against his Empire State-bred counterpart since winning an allowance optional claiming event over Saratoga’s inner turf in August 2019.
Breaking from the inside post under jockey Jose Ortiz, Cross Border took back and tipped off the inside moving into the three-path in third position as Blewitt led the field into the first turn. With The J Y tracking right to his outside in second, Blewitt controlled the pace through easy opening fractions of 25.48 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.95 for the half over the firm turf course.
Around the far turn, Cross Border began inching his way into contention as Blewitt maintained his advantage under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Past the threesixteenths pole, Cross Border had it all wrapped up, hitting the wire in 1:41.75.
Rapt was second, a nose ahead of Blewitt. The J Y completed the order of finish. Dante’s Fire and main track only entrant Yankee Division were scratched.
Returning $2.60 for a $2 win bet, Cross Border made his eighth trip to the winner’s circle in 25 starts. Additionally, the Lubash was a first stakes triumph for Cross Border, who previously earned graded stakes black type when second in the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight at Gulfstream Park on January 25. Banking $46,750 in victory, Cross Border has now accumulated lifetime earnings of $396,971. A threetime winner over the turf at Saratoga last year, Cross Border is now unbeaten in four starts at the Spa.