Delaware: DQ gives longshot Jessethemarine win in Whirling Ash

Jessethemarine, the second longest shot on the board at 17-1, came up short by a head following a stretch-long duel but walked away a winner, thanks to the disqualification of Interchange in Thursday’s $50,250 Whirling Ash Stakes for 2-year-olds at Delaware Park.

Jessethemarine, with Jose Caraballo aboard, briefly took a narrow lead over pacesetter Interchange in deep stretch of the one-mile dirt race only to see Interchange, under Victor Carrasco, fight back to narrowly reach the wire first in 1:38.70.

Following a stewards’ inquiry and a claim of foul by Caraballo as the result of a bumping incident inside the eighth pole, Interchange, the 2-1 second choice in a field of seven, was disqualified and placed second. It was another seven lengths back to Tashir in third. Divorce Party was a dull fifth as the 8-5 favorite.

Jessethemarine ($37.20), racing beyond 5 1/2 furlongs for the first time, is now 2 for 3 for trainer John Rigatierri, who owns the son of With Distinction in partnership with Manfred Roos.