Karelian, Demarcation Thrill in River City Handicap Dead Heat

by Patricia Woo | Nov 26 2008

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the $100,000 Gr. 3 River City Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., delivered its promise of a duel between two horses – but instead of a showdown between perpetual rivals Thorn Song and Canela, horse bettors saw a thrilling stretch duel between third choice favorite Karelian and 33-1 longshot Demarcation that ended in a dead heat.

After stalking the pace behind race favorite Thorn Song, Canela and Steve's Double, 6-year-old gelding Karelian took over the lead at the top of the stretch and built what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. But under jockey Jesus Castanon, Demarcation, who had trailed the frontrunners for most of the 1 1/8 mile turf race, launched a massive bid from the center of the course that ended in a head-bobbing photo finish with Karelian – and the final verdict of a dead heat.

"I really thought I got him on the wire," Castanon said. "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."

Not only did this race mark the first graded stakes win for both Karelian and Demarcation, it was also the first graded stakes victory for jockey Bill Troilo, who had the race of his life aboard Karelian as a last-minute substitute for an ill Calvin Borel.

"I'm thrilled to death," said Troilo. "I galloped out thinking I got beat. This is a gift."

The Rusty Arnold-trained Karelian improved to 16-9-2-1 and boosted his career earnings to $347,548 with the win. Prior to the River City Handicap, Karelian won the Sea O Erin Handicap after an 11-month layoff. Five-year-old Demarcation, a Paul McGee trainee, had only tasted victory once in his eight starts this season. This win boosted his record to 19-6-3-5 and his bankroll to $266,833. Telling rounded out the trifecta, rallying from the back of the pack with three furlongs left in the race. Thorn Song finished a disappointing seventh. His performance was reminiscent of his showing in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Mile where he faded after setting the early pace. Canela was also unable to sustain the early pace and finished last.

Karelian and Demarcation will split the winner's share of the purse, with each earning $44,090. The dead heat is the first in the history of the River City Handicap.

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