Karelian Returns With Sea o'Erin Upset

(from Arlington Park)
Karelian returned from an 11-month layoff to post an upset score in the $150,000 Sea o’Erin Handicap July 26 at Arlington Park. 

James Graham rode the son of Bertrando to a three-quarter length victory in 1:36.37 for the mile over a turf course rated as “firm.”

Graham kept the 6-year-old gelding just off the pace set by longshot Voy Por Uno Mas, who led through fractions of :23.87, :47.84 seconds and 1:11.79 before fading in the final eighth of a mile.

George Arnold II trains the winner.

The Sea o’Erin was the seventh win in 14 starts for Karelian, who picked up $87,000 for the victory for his owner, D. Richard Masson, to boost his bankroll to $285,458.

Yate’s Black Cat, ninth after a half mile, rallied five wide in the stretch to get up for second for Chris Emigh, a head in front of Demarcation and E.T. Baird. A neck farther back was even-money favorite Lewis Michael, coming off a nine-month layoff.

“Even though he lost the race I’m very excited,” said Lewis Michael’s jockey Rene Douglas. “He kept trying to come back and he gave me 100 percent.”

Voy Por Uno Mas, Pickapocket, Vanquisher, Therecomesatiger, Coragil Cat and Obi Wan Kenobi completed the order of finish.

Sent off as the fourth choice at odds of more than 7-1, Karelian paid $16.60, $8 and $5.40. Yate’s Black Cat returned $6.40 and $4.60. Demarcation paid $7.20.

(Chart, Equibase)