Chasing 101: Thoroughbreds are bred for speed, stamina, athleticism and heart (courage). When they don't succeed racing on the flat, they often get a second chance as steeplechasers. The canter and its faster version, the gallop, are essentially leaping gaits with the four hooves touching earth in a distinctive and rhythmic pattern, followed after the final footfall by a moment when all four feet are off the ground. That moment of suspension is what accommodates jumping so brilliantly. You can't force horses to race, period, and anyone who says so is full of manure. These magnificent animals invoke in their owners, trainers, riders and grooms incredible dedication, devotion, and passion.

Demonstrative is back!

Owned by Jacqueline Ohrstrom, trained by Richard Valentine, ridden by Robbie Walsh, the now seven-year-old gelding has won two consecutive Grade 1s: the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Hurdle Stakes on Aug. 25 at Saratoga and the $150,000 Lonesome Glory Hurdle Handicap at Belmont on Sept. 18. His return to form began on July 31 at Saratoga when he finished second by a nose in the $100,000 A.P. Smithwick (Gr.1) Memorial Hurdle.

Although Demonstrative was bred in Kentucky at Gainsborough Farm, Valentine bought him in England in July 2010 at Tattersalls Sales. His sire Elusivo Quality earned $413,284 in 20 career starts and traces his lineage back to Native Dancer. His dam, Loving Pride, is by Quiet American, a Group-placed winner in France with career earnings of $754,419.

In October 2010, Demonstrative made a splashy debut over hurdles, winning twice in three starts at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg and the 3-year-old hurdle stakes at Colonial Cup (Camden, SC). The next year, eight starts produced two wins, four seconds and two thirds.

In 2012, Demonstrative seemed to be on a roll with two wins at Saratoga, the Kiser Novice Hurdle Stakes and NY Turf Writers (Gr.1). At Belmont in September, he was scratched from the important Lonesome Glory (Gr.1 $150,000) after Walsh, Demonstrative's regular rider, and Matt McCarron (back-up) sustained injuries in an earlier race. Valentine chose not to run the five-year-old with an unfamiliar rider.

The rest is history: Pierrot Lunaire won the 2012 Lonesome Glory and, a month later, finished first in the $250,000 Grand National at Far Hills (NJ), the richest race of the fall circuit, which often decides the voting for Eclipse Steeplechase Horse of the Year. Demonstrative (McCarron) ran fourth in the Grand National, and won the Grade 1 season finale, Colonial Cup, against a field of older, seasoned hurdle horses. Demonstrative was runner-up to Eclipse winner, Pierrot Lunaire.

Given a bit of luck, 2013 should have been Demonstrative's year. He started out winning a "pipe opener" flat race in April and, a month later, the Iroquois (Gr. 1, $150,000) in Tennessee. He ran sixth in his only start at Saratoga, then fourth in the Lonesome Glory, and fifth in the Colonial Cup. His loss of form was upsetting. For Valentine and Ohrstrom, racing is about more than the purse money — it's about having a talented horse, understanding his personality and what makes him tick. Every person connected with the horses is important. Demonstrative's jockey Walsh has ridden him in 24 of his 29 career starts as of Sept. 18 (with McCarron doing the honors for the other five).

"When Demonstrative ran at Far Hills last year, Robbie noticed he was making a noise, galloping out, but he didn't hear it during the race, and at Colonial Cup Robbie said he made a noise again with his breathing," said Valentine. "The only way you can tell what's happening is to do the Over Land Scope. He came home after the Colonial Cup and we gave him a strong gallop with the Over Land Scope here at the farm and we found out that Demonstrative had a problem with his soft palate. The vets said that he was partially paralyzed on the left side of his larynx, which compromised his breathing by 60%. It was suggested that we take Demonstrative to Cornell University to Dr. Ducharme. So that's what we did. He went up and had the procedure done in December."

Valentine will be the first to tell you that he's a bit neurotic and worries constantly about "his" horses. After the procedure, Demonstrative missed two months of training, recuperating on stall rest. When he returned to racing in April, he finished out of the frame (top three) on the flat and in the Iroquois Hurdle Stakes, which he had won the year before. Still, Valentine was hopeful. "After the Iroquois, we continued with a regular work schedule to build on his condition — he's used to doing a lot and he got a little fat from not doing anything," said Valentine. "He's a big horse and it takes a lot to get him fit. He thrives on work, but I didn't want to be hard on him when he started back. We monitored his breathing last winter in Camden. The jury's still out (about the procedure), but everyone says it's the most incredible job they have ever seen. Dr. Ducharme is very, very good. When we got to Saratoga, Demonstrative's works were getting better and better."

As the results show, Demonstrative's early form was not a flash in the pan. So far, competing in the major league of jump racing (National Steeplechase Association), he has made 29 career starts for 11 firsts, 6 seconds, 3 thirds and total earnings of $659,800. Who wouldn't love a job where you work hard, maybe eight days total within the year, and spend the rest of the time living like a real horse, living the good life on the farm?

"I was really nervous at Belmont — Demonstrative was carrying top weight for the Lonesome Glory — you have so much worry because you don't want anything to happen to them," Valentine said. "We do this because we love the game and we love the horses. Most important to me is that they come home safe. Winning is an added bonus. That's how I look at it. It's a frustrating game, but it's also our business and we're training at the farm, living a country life, and the horses are part of our family. I was thrilled with the way Demonstrative ran at Belmont and, yes, I was very thrilled that he won."

Based on this season's earnings, Demonstrative is at the top of the hurdle standings, which, of course, puts him in the running for Eclipse Steeplechase Horse of the Year. The Eclipse Awards are really for flat track racing. There's only the one award for steeplechasing and a number of great hurdle horses out there. Demonstrative is one of them. A lot depends on the outcome of the Grand National at Far Hills, because of the purse.

"I think it's premature talking about the Eclipse Awards, but that's what everyone keeps bringing up. Let's see how the rest of the season goes," said Valentine. "Demonstrative has won two Grade 1s and finished second in a Grade 1 in his last three starts — for us right now, in the steeplechase world, that's a lot. Demonstrative really enjoyed himself in the Lonesome Glory — his ears were up, he loves to jump. He really — you know, if we don't like what we're doing, it's hard to get out of bed in the morning — Demonstrative loves his job. He's a really special horse."