Demarcation Prevails in Mineshaft

Amerman Racing’s Demarcation, void of early foot in Saturday’s Grade III Mineshaft Handicap, launched a strong bid after being set down for the drive, engaged Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s favored Mission Impazible inside the furlong grounds and outfought that rival to prove best by a head in the designed prep for the upcoming Grade II New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds on March 26.

“He’s such a consistent horse,” said winning trainer Paul McGee in the winner’s circle immediately after the Mineshaft. “He runs his race every time. He ran really big in the (Grade I) Clark Handicap at Churchill last fall against a stellar field and (winning rider Rosie Napravnik) fits this horse to a ‘tee.’ She let him fall out of there and let him settle and came rolling late.”

Demarcation increased his career earnings to $625,050 with his 10th win in 37 lifetime starts, toured the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:45.40 and paid $7.60, $3.40 and $2.40. 

Mission Impazible, winner of last season’s Louisiana Derby here, returned $3.20 and $2.10 while Adele Dilschneider’s Apart, 2 1/2-lengths farther back, paid $2.10 to show. Mission Impazible and Zayat Stable’s Z Humor had alternated for early splits of 23.35 and 48.75.