Laban maintains his consistency with five straight victory
FOLLOWING the win by Laban in the $1.29-million Reggae Month Trophy feature contest on Saturday, February 18, 2023, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Azan says his six-year-old bay horse has become one of the most dependable runners in his barn over the years.
Laban, ridden by former three-time champion jockey Anthony “St Mary” Thomas, got up in time to beat rivals in the three-year-old and upwards Open Allowance event at five furlongs straight.
Laban — who was held behind the early pace set by Lure of Lucy (Omar Walker) and God of Love (Dane Dawkins) for the first part of the race — made a strong run on the inside of runners and proved the strongest at the end, winning by three quarters of a length ahead of Lure of Lucy, Duke, and God of Love in a tight finish to the line. The final time for the race was a smooth 1:00.1 (23.4 x 46.).
Laban, bred by Sensational Slam – For Trixie, was winning for the ninth time in his career from 37 starts.
“Well he [Laban] won, and that’s very nice for six-year-olds. Laban has been one of the most consistent horses that I have trained and I am very happy to see that he has won. He keeps his condition well, and now the hope is that we can win some good races with him this year,” Azan said.
“The jockey rode exactly how he should: He didn’t rush him to the lead, he just had him together; and then the last two furlongs he pushed him out and he won,” Azan continued.