River Downs: Catlaunch hangs on to win Gendelman

Catlaunch looked beaten in late stretch after opening a big lead in the $50,000 Sydney Gendelman at River Downs on Saturday afternoon, but he dug deep and prevailed by three-quarters of a length to win.

Heavy rain in the area Friday night forced the Gendelman to be taken off the turf and run on the main track.

Jockey Luis Gonzalez sent Catlaunch to the lead leaving the gate, and he cleared the field of 13. The margin was six lengths coming into the stretch, but Catlaunch began drifting out badly and appeared to be beaten. Nearing the wire, Catlaunch found more and began to draw clear again. Allsarott finished second under Azael De Leon, eight lengths in front of Cajun Prize in third.

The winning time for 1 1/16 miles over a good track was 1:47.46, and Catlaunch returned $8 to win. The winners share of the purse put Catlaunch within $20,000 of becoming the second Ohio-bred millionaire. Harlan's Holiday is the all-time earnings leader among Ohio-breds.