SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024) — Demolisher has been perfect all season and that trend continued Wednesday, Oct. 2 in the 27^th running of the $150,000 To Much Coffee Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The sophomore is now five for five for his career with his biggest win to date added to his resume. The race was one of six premier events on the day making up Hoosier Day showcasing the state’s top talent in the Thoroughbred ranks.
 
Demolisher was ready to go for Emmanuel Esquivel when the gate sprung open for the one and one-sixteenth mile race and the duo was on top of the field heading into the first turn. They never really moved over to the inside path and settled in nicely a lane out as they led the bulky field of 12 around the first turn. Demolisher had a big hold on Esquivel, who continued to keep him rated and under wraps down the backstretch. One Big Dude and Eddie Perez sat to his outside in stalking position with Black White N Gold and Edgar Morales saving ground along the inside.
 
In the final turn, Esquivel signaled Demolisher it was time to go, and he took off, putting several lengths between him and the rest of the field. The still inexperienced Demolisher had a big lead heading into the turn, so much so, that he became a little distracted at one point where Esquivel had to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention. The only horse that had an opportunity to possibly close the gab was Black White N Gold along the inside. In the end, Demolisher was under a hand ride for the win by four lengths against older more experienced horses for the win. Black White N Gold finished second followed by Zolo and Orlando Mojica, who moved in for third late in the race.
 
“He (Demolisher) looks for shadows to jump in the morning and he was looking at the tractor lines when we got into the stretch,” noted Esquivel. “He was out there on his own and just needed to get back into the race. He broke sharp today. He was a little antsy in the gate and he’s normally not like that, but he was just feeling good today. He’s just a fantastic horse and I appreciate the opportunity to get to ride him.”
 
Demolisher was the strong favorite for good reason, paying $3.00 for the win. The son of Dominus is owned by Kenneth Ayres. He and his wife, Resia, bred the gelding with well documented health issues to start his career. He has emerged from that illness as an outstanding racehorse for the Ayres, who also raced his mother, Maggie Sue. Cipriano Contreras has managed the conditioning of Demolisher flawlessly during his racing career.
 
“We liked him last year, but he needed a year and needed to train more,” noted Contreras. “We needed to show him the ropes and let him grow up. He’s never had any bad issues, but he was a colt last year and just didn’t have the mindset to train and race. After cutting him (gelding him), we let him grow and brought him back and we’ve had nothing but success this season.”
 
Demolisher boosted his career bankroll to more than $300,000 for his connections. He has a lot of options moving forward.
 
“He (Demolisher) seems like an Indiana bred that can go somewhere else and race,” added Contreras. “There isn’t any more Indiana races for him this year. I’ll talk with Mr. Kenny (Ayres), and we might take him somewhere else to race to see what he can do. But I like to keep horses and see them run as four and five year olds. I’ve had some success with older horses like that. I’d like to do the same with him. He’s nice to be around in the mornings. He’s almost too laid back at times.”
 
The Ayres were trackside to join Demolisher in the winner’s circle. They have a long history with the sophomore through his early life-threatening issues with R-Equi pneumonia, a rare disease that almost took his life. Thankfully, he recovered and is now a three-time handicap winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
 
“This is just fantastic,” said Ayres. “I can’t even imagine having a horse like this. Manny (Esquivel) knowns him so well, like the back of his hand. I knew he would know when to let him go and when I saw him let him go at the three-eighths, it was just so exciting. What a horse.”
 
Demolisher joins an extensive list of impressive horses who are title holders of the To Much Coffee Handicap. The race was named after one of the first standout Indiana breds who raced at Hoosier Park in the first few years of pari-mutuel racing. To Much Coffee made nearly $200,000 when purse money wasn’t as generous as it is in modern day terms, winning 10 of 40 starts with Jon Court aboard for most of those victories.
 
The 22^nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.