Jacqueline Ohrstrom’s Demonstrative, jumping well under Robbie Walsh, took command after the final fence on Belmont Park’s turf course and drew away to a seven-length victory in the $50,000 William Entenmann Novice Stakes on Sunday, July 3.
Owner-trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s One Giant Step closed well from the back of the nine-horse field to finish second, 3 1/4 lengths clear of 2.15-1 favorite All Together. Call You in Ten finished fourth, 2 3/4 lengths farther back.
Trained by Richard Valentine, Demonstrative went off at 10.80-1 odds after a third-place finish in another novices stakes races, the $50,000 National Hunt Cup at the Radnor Hunt Races in Malvern, Pa., on May 21. The four-year-old Elusive Quality gelding, who was steeplechasing’s champion three-year-old last year, ran the Entenmann’s 2 1/4 miles in 4:03.25 on firm turf.
Debra Kachel’s Lake Placid set the early pace with Hickory Tree Stables’ Slaney Rock, with All Together and Mede Cahaba Stable’s Complete Zen, the National Hunt Cup winner, shadowing them. Lake Placid dropped back on Belmont’s final turn, and Complete Zen also lost ground.
Always well placed, Demonstrative moved up on the inside as Xavier Aizpuru pushed 2010 novice champion All Together to challenge recent Irish import Slaney Rock, ridden by Bernie Dalton. The three leaders approached the final fence heads apart, and Slaney Rock on the outside fell over the obstacle.
Finding his best stride, Demonstrative quickly drew clear from Sheila Williams’ and Andre Brewster’s All Together and extended his advantage to the finish line. Ridden by Danielle Hodsdon, One Giant Step closed strongly after the final fence to grab second money.
Demonstrative’s Entenmann victory, his second of the year after a win in the Daniel Van Clief Memorial at the Foxfield Spring Races in Virginia on April 30, was worth $30,000 and raised his National Steeplechase Association career earnings to $75,500. Bred in Kentucky by Gainsborough Farm, Demonstrative was purchased by Valentine for Mrs. Ohrstrom at the 2010 Tattersalls July mixed sale for $39,876.