Demonstrative wins Turf Writers; Makari euthanized
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Valentine and the connections of Demonstrative had every reason to celebrate after their veteran hurdler outfinished Barnstorming to win Saratoga’s Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup for the second time in the last three years. But there was little joy in the winner’s circle on Monday after Makari suffered a fatal injury when falling over the final jump in the grueling 2 3/8-mile event.
The Turf Writers Cup was the first of three Grade 1 races won by Demonstrative from August of 2012 through May of 2013. He finished a distant sixth in defense of his title last summer, but gave every indication he was back on top of his game this season when beaten a nose by Makari in the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick by Makari earlier in the meet.
Demonstrative was kept within easy striking distance by jockey Robert Walsh through the opening two miles of the Turf Writers, slipped inside the leaders coming over the last hurdle to take the lead a furlong from the wire, then held on gamely to prevail by a half-length over Barnstorming. Italian Wedding, like Barnstorming trained by Jonathan Sheppard, rallied mildly to finish another 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third.
Makari, who loomed a major factor until he fell over the final jump, was trained by Elizabeth Voss. The 2014 Turf Writers Cup was named in honor of her father, Thomas Voss, who died earlier this year.
Demonstrative is owned by Mrs. George Ohrstrom Jr. He paid $6.60 as the favorite in the nine-horse Turf Writers field.
“I’m delighted for the horse, but it’s hard to get excited right now,” said an almost tearful Valentine in the winner’s circle after the race. “It’s just terribly sad. I feel bad for the connections [of Makari], I feel bad for the grooms. We won. I’m just lucky I have a horse to take home. It’s quite a feat for this horse to win this race twice in three years and I’m incredibly proud of him and my crew. It’s been a long haul. He had wind surgery. But It bittersweet. It’s jumping, and unfortunately these things happen. But something like this is incredibly hard to take for all of us. In a couple of weeks I’ll appreciate this. But for now, it’s difficult for me to be excited.”