by Brisnet.com
Finding a clear path on the outside at just the right time, jockey Robert
Walsh deftly avoided trouble on Demonstrative when leader Divine Fortune fell
over the final jump in Thursday’s 71st running of the Grade 1,
$145,500 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap at Saratoga, going on to win
by a length.
Demonstrative, a five-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality, emerged from his
victory in the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes on July 26 at Saratoga to capture
the first graded stakes win of his career, jumping the 10 fences and completing
the 2 3/8-mile course in 4:33.
“I won the Maryland Hunt Cup, but this would have to be right there,” trainer Richard Valentine
said in scoring the first Grade 1 win of his career. “I
mostly train timber horses, so to win a race like this with the tradition of
Saratoga, this takes the cake.”
Saving ground most of the way as Decoy Daddy and All Together made the pace,
Demonstrative angled out in the stretch, while Spy in the Sky, winner of the
Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial on August 2, went widest and also bid for the
lead. With a furlong to go, Divine Fortune grabbed the front but went down over
the final fence. Nationbuilder went down behind him. Both horses and riders
escaped injury.
Demonstrative kicked away in the lane to score by a length over Charminster.
Off at odds of 5-1, he paid $13.60, $6.30 and $4.90. Spy in the Sky, Decoy Daddy
and All Together completed the order under the wire after Nationbuilder left the
track before the last jump.
“He is much stronger than last year, and he’s in great form,” Walsh said in
the winner’s circle. “Richard (Valentine) has done a great job in getting this
horse back to his form. It got a little bit tight late in the race. A couple of
times we had to check, but this horse is brave.”
Demonstrative sported the colors of Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom Jr. while winning for the fifth time in 15 starts over jumps. Valentine said
with the Grade 1 victory, he will campaign Demonstrative with a possible Eclipse
Award in mind and point toward the Grade 1, $150,000 Lonesome Glory on September
23 at Belmont Park.
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