Two Champions in a Minute

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My friends at HRTV asked me to come on the show and talk about the Eclipse Awards for steeplechasing. They asked me to talk about the three finalists – this was before the finalists were announced – and I quickly told them there were only two. Demonstrative and Divine Fortune. 

“OK, talk about the two.”

Easy game, after the seasons Demonstrative and Divine Fortune posted in 2014. 

In a flurry, I wrote a quick script. They asked for 45 seconds to a minute. If I read it fast, I could get it under the time. Ad-libbed, conversational, even quicker. 

Steeplechasing 2014 comes down to two horses. Like old friends at the local pub – Demonstrative and Divine Fortune met five times this year. From Nashville…to Saratoga…to Belmont Park…to Far Hills…to the Colonial Cup – Demonstrative held the advantage over his old friend, beating him three times, including a rousing score in the richest race of all, the Grand National at Far Hills.

The only horse to compete in all six Grade 1 stakes during the season, Demonstrative posted three wins, a second (beaten just a nose) and a third to garner the earnings title. Charismatic and consistent, the 7-year-old became the horse everyone always expected.

Divine Fortune does it the hard way, running and jumping with panache, daring anyone to come with him. They couldn’t in the Grade 1 Iroquois to start the season and the Grade 1 Colonial Cup to end the season. In the middle, well, he wasn’t at his best, but forgive him, the 2013 champion kept his head held high – literally and figuratively. 

Demonstrative and Divine Fortune – Kings in the Sport of Kings.

Watch Divine Fortune win the Colonial Cup

Watch Demonstrative win the Grand National. 

The winner will be announced Saturday night. I voted for Demonstrative.