Demosthenes wins feature at Emerald Downs | Horse Racing

Demosthenes returned from a seven-month layoff in style Sunday at Emerald Downs. The He’s Tops gelding turned back Blame the Jockey in the stretch run for a three-quarter-length victory in the $18,000 Brisnet Purse for allowance 3-year-olds. Demosthenes, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 15 secnds on a fast track and paid $9.60, $3.80 and $2.40.

June 13, 2010 11:01 pm

Demosthenes returned from a seven-month layoff in style Sunday at Emerald Downs.

The He’s Tops gelding turned back Blame the Jockey in the stretch run for a three-quarter-length victory in the $18,000 Brisnet Purse for allowance 3-year-olds. Demosthenes, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 15 secnds on a fast track and paid $9.60, $3.80 and $2.40.

Blame the Jockey with Francisco Duran riding, loomed past mid-stretch, but was unable to move past the winner. Blame the Jockey paid $5 and $2.60.

Saratoga Boot, the 1-1 betting favorite ridden by Ricky Frazier, finished third and paid $2.20. Berry Ledo, Rescue Plan and Salty Le Mousse completed the order of finish.

In second-place early, Demosthenes put away stable mate Salty Le Mousse on the turn, opened a clear lead into the lane, and then held off Blame the Jockey in the final furlong. The victory was worth $9,900 and increased Demosthenes’ earnings to $17,553 for owners Shawn Sudo and Cherie and Susan Wright.

Demosthenes has a 2-0-0 record from three starts overall, but hadn’t raced since a fourth-place finish last November at Golden Gate Fields. He showed promise in his debut last September at Emerald Downs while defeating $20,000 maiden claimers by 7 ¾ lengths.

Mitchell and Duran rode three winners each on the 10-race card.

News and Notes

• Bijou Barrister ($7.60) won his seventh straight race with a come-from-behind two-length ally over Vaderator in the sixth race. The 4-year-old Tribunal gelding is one of six horses currently 3-for-3 at the meeting.

• Frank Lucarelli became the second trainer in track history to hit the 600-win mark when Senator Matty ($3.60) prevailed in the fifth race under Francisco Duran.

• Lucarelli and Duran also combined with Touch of Elegance ($6) for a 4 ¼-length victory in the eight race.

• Vann Belvoir also saddled two winners and maintained a 26-25 lead over Lucarelli in the trainers’ standings.

• Tim McCanna, first all-time with 723 wins, capped off a four win week as Jiddaw ($4.40) prevailed by a neck in the fourth race.

• Ricky Frazier was blanked for the first time in 11 days, but finished the week with a 34-32 lead over both Mitchell and apprentice Pedro Terrero in the jockeys’ standings.

• Live racing resumes Thursday with first post at 6 p.m. Emerald Downs is open for simulcast wagering Wednesday to Sunday.