Amerman Racing Stables

The Amerman Racing Stables’ Demarcation rallied from far off the pace to score a 1 ½-length victory over Glamour Guy to win the 17th running of the $111,000 Ack Ack Handicap (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
    
Ridden by Jesus Castanon for trainer Paul McGee, Demarcation ran in seventh place in the eight-horse field in the run down the backside as Spotsgone and favored Riley Tucker battled it out on the front end through fractions of :22.71 and :45.79.

Castanon had Demarcation on the move approaching the far turn and was in fifth place at the top of the stretch as the two early leaders were joined across the track by Greeley’s Conquest and Glamour Guy. Inside the eighth pole, Demarcation split Greeley’s Conquest and Spotsgone and spurted clear to his first victory since dead-heating in last year’s River City Handicap (GIII) on the Matt Winn Turf Course with Castanon aboard.

    Demarcation, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Gulch, covered the mile on a “fast” main track in 1:36.15.

    The victory, the seventh in 26 starts, was worth $66,756 and increased Demarcation’s earnings to $357,645.

    Demarcation returned $23.40, $10.40 and $6.20. Glamour Guy, ridden by Leandro Goncalves, paid $20 and $10.40 with Spotsgone, ridden by Jon Court, finishing a half-length back in third and paying $7.80 to show. Riley Tucker finished fourth another 1 ¾ lengths back.

    Racing resumes Saturday with a 10-day race program highlighted by the $150,000-added Chilukki (GII) that goes as the ninth race on the card that begins at 12:40 p.m. (all times EST). Also on the program will be the simulcast of the second day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Santa Anita. The first of eight Breeders’ Cup races begins at 1:45 p.m. and concludes with the $5 million Classic with a 6:45 p.m. post time.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE ACK ACK

PAUL J. McGEE, trainer of DEMARCATION, winner: “That was good. You know, he’s won on everything. He’s won on dirt, he’s won on Poly (Polytrack) and he’s won on the grass. I’d say he’s very versatile. I entered him in a money-allowance race at seven furlongs at Keeneland that didn’t fill but I’ve been looking to switch it up with him a little bit. This worked out good.”

JESUS CASTANON, jockey of DEMARCATION, winner: “I’ve always liked this horse ever since I started riding him. He broke good enough and they got away from us at the beginning. When we got to the half-mile pole, I knew he was going to get in the bridle and we’d have a big shot to get ‘em down the lane. This guy, he does it all. He always gives one hundred percent, no matter what kind of track he runs on.”

LEANDRO GONCALVES, rider of GLAMOUR GUY (runner-up): “He ran big – he was just second-best today.  He started great and (trainer) Ralph (Nicks) told me just to be patient going around and he would finish good.  I wish I’d known the horse.  This was the first time I’d ridden him and I think I should have just waited a little bit more.”

RALPH NICKS, trainer of GLAMOUR GUY (runner-up): “He ran well.  I took his blinkers off and I’ve been trying to get somebody to take him back all year since his claiming win at the Fair Grounds.  All he did in that one was run the last quarter and he sprinted real fast that day.  But he wants to show a little speed and I can’t get it across to our pilots that we have reins for a reason.  Even Leandro said today, ‘If I’d kept him back there, he wins’ – and I felt the same way.  He let him make a half-mile run today.  He just needs somebody to be a driver instead of a passenger.”
Q: He’ll probably run next at Fair Grounds? “He’ll run back at Fair Grounds.  If there was anything here, it would be too quick.  So it’ll be probably December or January before he runs again.”

JON COURT, rider of SPOTSGONE (third): “He ran real good.  He’s freshened up and he put on a valiant fight to the end.   He was just third-best today.”

AARON GRYDER, rider of RILEY TUCKER (fourth as the 6-5 favorite): “He traveled nice.  He got a little pressure, but he was underneath me and feeling good.  He was going good, but down the lane they were able to out-foot him.  Obviously he’s run against better company and today he probably didn’t show his ‘A’ race, but he felt great.”

SCOTT BLASI, assistant to Steve Asmussen, trainer of RILEY TUCKER (fourth as the 6-5 favorite): “He was probably a little flat.  He’s done a lot of traveling this year.  This was definitely not his best effort, although I’m not taking anything away from the winner.  He’s going to be an awesome horse down at the Fair Grounds this year.  We’ll get him freshened up.”

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(November 22, 2008) – Green Lantern Stables’ Karelian and Amerman Racing Stables’ Demarcation hit the finish line together and dead-heated Saturday in the 32nd running of the $114,400 River City Handicap (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

            Karelian, carrying 119 pounds and ridden by Bill Troilo, swept past favored Thorn Song in the upper stretch and appeared on his way to victory until Demarcation, carrying 117 pounds with Jesus Castanon up, came charging late.

Demarcation appeared to have the edge a jump from the wire, but a final lunge by Karelian created the dead heat, the first in the history of the race. The victory was the first graded stakes victory for Troilo and initial stakes win at Churchill Downs.

The dead heat to win was the first in a stakes race at Churchill Downs since the 2002 Louisville Handicap (GIII) with Pisces and Classic Par.

Karelian, trained by Rusty Arnold, returned payoffs of $6.80, $6.80 and $4.80. Demarcation, trained by Paul McGee, rewarded his backers with mutuels of $30.40, $25.40 and $14.20. Finishing another 1 ½ lengths back in third was Telling, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, who paid $10.60 to show.

Time for the 1 1/8 miles over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course was 1:50.06.

The winners received $44,090 each. Karelian, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Bertrando, won for the eighth time in 16 starts and increased his bankroll to $347,548. Demarcation, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Gulch, won for the sixth time in 19 starts and hiked his earnings to $266,833.

Completing the field of 11 in order were Star Plus, Just as Well, Steve’s Double, Pleasant Strike, Thorn Song, Yate’s Black Cat, Mr. Sidney and Canela.  

In the race preceding the River City, Maggi Moss’ Native Ruler benefited from a speed duel between favorites Kelly’s Landing and Euroears and swept to a 4 ¼-length victory in the $55,150 Bet On Sunshine overnight handicap.

             Ridden by Jamie Theriot and trained by Chris Richard, Native Ruler completed the six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:08.91 for his eighth victory in 20 starts.

            Euroears, who entered the race undefeated in six career starts, and the millionaire Kelly’s Landing dueled through the first quarter of a mile in :21.81 and the half in :44.83 with Native Ruler rating back in third place. Native Ruler collared the pacesetters at the quarter pole and drew clear to easily hold off a late bid by Vicarian.

            Native Ruler paid $10, $5.40 and $3.80. Vicarian, ridden by Robby Albarado, returned $6.20 and $4 with Success Success, another 1 ¼ lengths back under Jesus Castanon, returning $4.80 to show. Euroears finished fifth and Kelly’s Landing last in the field of seven.

            The winner’s share of $35,546 raised Native Ruler’s earnings to $268,011. Native Ruler is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Elusive Quality out of the Dixieland Band mare Tajannub.

            “I had a perfect trip,” Theriot said. “There was plenty of pace in the race. I got a good break and he stalked on the outside. I pushed the button at the quarter pole and he took off.”

Live racing continues Sunday at Churchill Downs with a 10-race program that begins at 12:40 p.m. Only five racing dates remain at the 2008 Fall Meet.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE RIVER CITY HANDICAP

BILL TROILO (Jockey, KARELIAN, dead-heat winner) – “That’s a great pickup mount (scheduled jockey Calvin Borel took off mounts Saturday because of illness). Unfortunately, sometimes we benefit from other people’s misfortunes. Calvin was sick today and it was just unfortunate that he wasn’t on him, but I’m happy for myself.

“That was my first stakes win at Churchill and a lot of seconds and thirds. In fact, this was my first graded stakes win, too. I’ve had [2,455] wins [in 19,933 mounts since 1982] and this was my first graded win. It’s just the way it goes.”

Q: How was the trip?

“He was pretty fresh going into the first turn but he settled nice. I tracked [Thorn Song]. By the time I caught him turning for home, Robby [Albarado] hollered over that he was out of horse. I kind of went on. When I got after him, he was getting a little lazy on me because when [Demarcation] caught us right at the wire he opened again. I think if that horse would have come to me sooner, I think he would have drawn back away from him. It was just unfortunate that he caught me right at the wire.”

Q: Did you think you won the race?

“My honest option is that I thought we got beat. He was outside and, at the time, his horse’s head was in front of me. But my horse had his head down again and I guess that’s what saved us.”

Q: I take it that you’re happy with the dead heat?

“I’m thrilled to death! I galloped out thinking I got beat. This is a gift.”

Q: Is this one of your most exciting victories?

“It’s one of them. I’ve won a few hundred thousand and hundred-and-fifty thousand [dollar] stakes and they’ve been just as exciting. But any time you win a race like this it’s always exciting.

RUSTY ARNOLD (Trainer, KARELIAN, dead-heat winner) – “It’s better than getting beat because I thought he got beat when they hit the wire. We got forced and then [Demarcation] got to us and we got all the head-bob. That’s what it looked like to me. [Demarcation] was definitely in front at the wire. So as it turned out, I was rooting for a dead heat. I knew it was close.”

Q: You liked your horse going into this race, didn’t you?

“I loved my horse. I was shocked that they made [Mr. Sidney] the favorite in the paddock. (Note: Thorn Song was the 5-2 post-time favorite and Mr. Sidney closed as the 7-2 second choice). I was absolutely shocked. I mean my horse, when he’s sound, he’s such a good horse. He’s won half of his starts. He doesn’t run but twice a year, but he’s won half of his starts. He got an awful trip in the Shadwell [Turf Mile at Keeneland] and got beat two lengths. It was not an awful ride, it was an awful trip and just one of those things. He had the 11-hole and we got over and got in trouble. He’s a really, really nice horse. So I did like him.”

Q: What are some of the issues you’ve had to deal with?

“He’s just had a lot of problems. Look at him: he’s got a line drawn about every two or three races. He’s never been beat at Churchill Downs and he probably doesn’t want to go a mile-and-an-eighth. It was a big win for him.”

Q: What about Bill Troilo?

“Billy started with my dad. So I’m happy for him. . . .Billy galloped Wavering Monarch for me in 1982. We go back.” (Note: Wavering Monarch won six of 13 starts and $466,773 including the 1982 Jefferson Cup by seven lengths. He also was 12th in the 1982 Kentucky Derby).

Q: Did you prepare the horse any differently for this race?

“He trained terrific going into this race as he has all year. In his first start back this year he beat Lewis Michael. I know it was an ungraded race but he beat Lewis Michael. It was a great race and then he had the Shadwell which was still another good race and again today. He doesn’t run bad if you look at his form. He never runs bad. He gets hurt but he doesn’t run bad.

Q: Will he run next year?

“He’s a gelding. Until he can’t make a comeback, he’ll be training.”

JESUS CASTANON (jockey, DEMARCATION, dead-heat winner) – “I really thought I got him on the wire.  But as soon as we got close to the wire my horse was kind of like coming back and his horse was dropping his head, so that’s what happened.”

            “I had a little trouble down the lane.  The horse that was in front of me drifted out a little down the lane, and I had to take him to the outside and that probably took a little away from him.  But he ran big.”

PAUL McGEE (trainer, DEMARCATION, dead-heat winner)

“He’s a consistent horse.  He’s been running well.  He ran well in the graded Sea O’ Erin (at Arlington Park) and was a good third behind Thorn Song at the Spring Meet.  He’s been a very consistent, hard-running horse all along.  It surprised me he was that big of a price today.

            “He has won sprinting on the dirt and won on Polytrack, so he’s won on all the surfaces.”

Q: This is fresh now, but what are your thoughts on options now…

“He’ll probably run in something at the Fair Grounds.  He’ll go to the Fair Grounds.”

SHAUN BRIDGMOHAN (jockey, TELLING, third)

“I thought he ran very well.  I thought we had a shot at the top of the stretch.  He gave me a nice little acceleration coming off the turn and I thought we were in a good spot, but the top two ran pretty hard.”

DALE ROMANS (trainer, THORN SONG, eighth as the favorite)

“I don’t know what happened.  There’s not much to say about it.  He was in position, but didn’t have the finish he needed.”

Q: Was the outside post a concern going in?

“Not really – I can’t blame it.  Robby [Albarado] had him over in the three-path on the first turn.  I think he might be a little tired.  It’s been a long campaign for him and he’s had a good year.  He might need a little rest.”

ROBBY ALBARADO (jockey, THORN SONG, eighth as the favorite)

“I had him in what I thought was a good spot, but when I asked him he just didn’t respond.  I’m not sure what it was.  Maybe he’s telling us something.  It’s been a long year and maybe he needs a rest.  But he’s had a great year.”

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE BET ON SUNSHINE HANDICAP

JAMIE THERIOT (Jockey, NATIVE RULER, winner) – “I had a perfect trip. There was plenty of pace in the race. I got a good break and he stalked on the outside. I pushed the button at the quarter pole and he took off.”

Q: Is he just a better horse on dirt rather than turf or the synthetic surfaces?

“He is, I think. I’ve never ridden him on turf or Polytrack, but his numbers are nothing close to what he does on the dirt. He looks like he’s a better horse on the main track. The horse is really good right now and doing everything right. He moved forward from his last start and he’s just doing really good right now.”

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(November 19, 2008) – Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song will face 10 rivals Saturday as he shoots for consecutive victories in the $100,000-added River City Handicap (Grade III) to be run at a mile and one-eighth over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

            Trained by Dale Romans, Thorn Song will have to overcome the outside No. 11 post position if he is to join Same Old Wish (1996-97) and Dr. Kashnikow (2001-02) as a repeat winner of the River City. Thorn Song will be ridden by Robby Albarado and carry high weight of 122 pounds, conceding three-to-nine pounds to his rivals.

            Winner of the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in October as well as the Grade II Firecracker Handicap over the Matt Winn Turf Course in July, Thorn Song enters the River City off a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) at Santa Anita.

            Two other River City starters have stakes victories in 2008, although none is of the graded variety.

            Oxbow Racing’s Steve Double, trained by Ronny Werner, has won the Remington Green at Remington Park and the Unbridled Handicap at Louisiana Downs in his two most recent starts and ran third to Thorn Song in the Firecracker. Steve’s Double will be ridden by Jamie Theriot and carry 117 pounds.

            Amerman Racing Stables’ Demarcation took the Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 15 for trainer Paul McGee. Jesus Castanon will ride Demarcation, who carries 117 pounds.

The field for the 32nd running of the River City (Race 9 at approximately 4:37 p.m. ET), from the hedge out: Yate’s Black Cat (Miguel Mena, 119 pounds), Mr. Sidney (John Velazquez, 113), Star Plus (ARG) (Kent Desormeaux, 116), Pleasant Strike (Chris DeCarlo, 115), Karelian (Calvin Borel, 119), Just As Well (E.T. Baird, 113), Telling (Shaun Bridgmohan, 117), Demarcation (Jesus Castanon, 117), Canela (Julien Leparoux, 115), Steve’s Double (Jamie Theriot, 117) and Thorn Song (Robby Albarado, 122).

Also on Saturday’s card will be the $56,000-added Bet On Sunshine (Race 8 at approximately 4:06 p.m. ET), an overnight handicap at six furlongs on the main track that drew a field of eight sprinters.

High weights Kelly’s Landing (123 pounds under Julien Leparoux) and the undefeated Euroears (120 pounds with Miguel Mena up), will start side by side, breaking from post positions two and three, respectively.

Kelly’s Landing, owned by Summerplace Farm, won the 2005 Aristides (GIII) here and also took the 2007 Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI). He returned to the races on Oct. 17 after a 4 ½-month layoff to win a six-furlong allowance sprint at Keeneland in his most recent start for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Euroears, owned by Marilyn and James Helzer, has won all six of his career starts for trainer Bret Calhoun. Euroears, who suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right hind leg in late March, has not raced since winning the Duncan Kenner Stakes on March 8 at Fair Grounds.

The field for the Bet On Sunshine, from the rail out: Native Ruler (Jamie Theriot, 116 pounds), Kelly’s Landing (Julien Leparoux, 123), Euroears (Miguel Mena, 120), Godolphin Gray (Aldo Canchano, 110), Success Success (Jesus Castanon, 116), Junior College (Hector Rosario Jr., 117), High Expectations (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118) and Vicarian (Calvin Borel, 116).

First post for Saturday’s 10-race card is 12:40 p.m. ET. The first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions will receive a free collectable hurricane glass, courtesy of Kentucky Derby Party, that salutes Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Also, Churchill Downs will offer free general admission Nov. 21-23 to all patrons who donate two non-perishable canned goods at Gates 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by Forcht Bank.

Grandstand gates open Saturday at 11 a.m.

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