Demosthenes returned from a seven-month layoff in style Sunday at Emerald Downs.

The He’s Tops gelding turned back Blame the Jockey in the stretch run for a three-quarter-length victory in the $18,000 Brisnet Purse for allowance 3-year-olds. Demosthenes, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15 on a fast track and paid $9.60, $3.80 and $2.40.

Blame the Jockey, Francisco Duran riding, loomed boldly past mid-stretch, but was unable to move past the winner. Blame the Jockey paid $5 and $2.60.

Saratoga Boot, the 1-1 betting favorite ridden by Ricky Frazier, finished third and paid $2.20. Berry Ledo, Rescue Plan and Salty Le Mousse completed the order of finish.

In second-place early, Demosthenes put away stable mate Salty Le Mousse on the turn, opened a clear lead into the lane, and then held off Blame the Jockey in the final furlong. The victory was worth $9,900 and increased Demosthenes’ earnings to $17,553 for owners Shawn Sudo and Cherie and Susan Wright.

Demosthenes has a 2-0-0 record from three starts overall, but hadn’t raced since a fourth-place finish last November at Golden Gate Fields. He showed promise in his debut last September at Emerald Downs while defeating $20,000 maiden claimers by 7 ¾ lengths.

Mitchell and Duran rode three winners each on the 10-race card.

NOTES: Bijou Barrister ($7.60) won his seventh straight race with a come-from-behind two-length ally over Vaderator in the sixth race. The 4-year-old Tribunal gelding is one of six horses currently 3-for-3 at the meeting…Frank Lucarelli became the second trainer in track history to hit the 600-win mark when Senator Matty ($3.60) prevailed in the fifth race under Francisco Duran…Lucarelli and Duran also combined with Touch of Elegance ($6) for a 4 ¼-length victory in the eight race…Vann Belvoir also saddled two winners and maintained a 26-25 lead over Lucarelli in the trainers’ standings…Tim McCanna, first all-time with 723 wins, capped off a four win week as Jiddaw ($4.40) prevailed by a neck in the fourth race…Ricky Frazier was blanked for the first time in 11 days, but finished the week with a 34-32 lead over both Mitchell and apprentice Pedro Terrero in the jockeys’ standings…Live racing resumes Thursday with first post at 6 p.m. Emerald Downs is open for simulcast wagering Wednesday to Sunday.

ALSO: Newfound Gold sped to the early lead and held on late for a 1 ¼-length victory Saturday in the featured Rose Family Purse for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs.

With Matt Hagerty riding at 121 lbs., Newfound Gold ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15 4/5 on a fast track and paid $22.40, $6.80 and $5.80. Vince Gibson—saddling his third winner in two days —is the trainer for owner Bill Bomar, who claimed the gelding for $12,500 two races back.

Amphitrites Gift, the 2-1 betting favorite ridden by Robert Burney at 120 lbs., was denied his third straight victory, but finished well for second place and paid $4.20 and $3.60.

Itsafineredwine, Ricky Frazier riding at 117 lbs., was a neck farther back in third and paid $4.80.

Hustled to the lead by Hagerty, Newfound Gold set fractions of :22 2/5, :45 and 1:09 1/5, led by two lengths into the stretch, and held off the closers in the final furlong. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred by Newfoundland has a 2-4-1 record in eight starts with earnings of $20,321.

Frazier and Francisco Duran rode two winners apiece on the nine-race card, and Frazier has opened a 34-32 lead over apprentice Pedro Terrero in the jockeys’ standings. Frazier, bidding for his fifth title in seven years, has ridden at least one winner on 10 straight cards.

SATURDAY NOTES: Two of the first four races for 2-year-olds have been won by the longest shot on the board, including a victory by Kate Winsalot ($14.60) in Saturday’s second race. The Oregon-bred filly by Ochoco ran 4 ½ furlongs in :52 2/5 to give trainer Ryland Harwood his first Emerald Downs victory…There were five more double-digit winners Saturday, and 12 of the last 17 winners have paid at least $10…Owner-trainer Calvin Bagby chalked up his first career Emerald Downs victory as I Luva Popcorn ($11) prevailed in the nightcap under Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo.

ALSO: Cee the Lady continued to climb the class ladder with a 3 ¼-length triumph Friday in the $17,100 feature race for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

It was the third straight victory for Cee the Lady and her second straight victory since being claimed for $5,000 in April. With apprentice Pedro Terrero riding at 114 lbs., Cee the Lady ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15 1/5 on a fast track and paid $4.80, $3.60 and $3. Vann Belvoir is the trainer for owner Jerry Elrod.

Crocodile Tuff, ridden by Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo at 119 lbs., finished second and paid $6.40 and $4.40. Super Dixie, Ricky Frazier riding at 119 lbs., finished third and paid $2.60.

Cee the Lady joined Polish Dollar, No Flies On Doodle, Sis’s Sis, Classielyte and Polo Bender as horses with three victories at the 30-day-old meeting. The 4-year-old California-bred by Cee’s Tizzy swept past Super Dixie into the stretch and was in control to the wire.

Cee the Lady has a 6-for-17 overall record with earnings of $72,156. She began her career in the Bay Area, but shipped north this spring with trainer Frank Lucarelli. She scored by 11 ¾ lengths vs. $5,000 claimers in her local debut on April 18, and was claimed from that race by Belvoir and Elrod. Her subsequent race was a 2 ¾-length triumph against $17,500 claimers on May 22, and Friday she stepped up again to defeat $32,000 optional claimers.

Cee the Lady was the lone favorite to win on the eight-race card that featured seven double-digit winners, topped by a $43.60 upset by Nick’s Gold in the fourth race.

FRIDAY NOTES Trainer Vince Gibson saddled a pair of upset winners: Silver Mench ($11) in the fifth race and Hickory Road ($14.20) in the eighth…Immigration continued his hard-luck meeting with a close second to Strawberry Topper ($19.60) in the $12,100 co-feature for $15,000 older claimers. It was the fourth second to go with one third in five starts for the 6-year-old Delineator gelding…Trainer Dan Markle continued his successful meeting Friday, as his four starters finished first, second, third and seventh. For the meet, Markle-trained horses have finished in the money in 35-of-46 races (76 percent)…Live racing continues Saturday with first post at 2 p.m.