Veteran striker Martin Palermo scored in his last big derby to leave River dangerously close to the play-off berths in the three-season relegation points averages after a third loss in four matches.
Boca's fifth match without defeat confirmed their recovery from a poor start to the championship, climbing to eighth with 21 points from 14 matches, one place and one point behind River in the Clausura standings.
Boca went ahead in the 28th minute when left-back Luciano Monzon's glancing header from Juan Roman Riquelme's corner to the near post wrong-footed Carrizo, with the ball bouncing off his thigh into the net in the 28th minute.
The 37-year-old Palermo, Boca's record all-time scorer whose goal was his fourth in as many games, was substituted 10 minutes from time to a huge ovation from the Boca faithful as they chanted his name.
"I said during the week I wanted to give the fans happiness... there's nothing that can compare with this 'clasico' and I'm thrilled to have scored in my last," Palermo told Futbol Para Todos.
"Boca's people are unique and happy we've beaten our eternal rivals," said Riquelme.
