I probably like talking about jockeys as much as I do about horses or the doubles I win. Chantal Sutherland is always a good story and you have to wonder how she felt on Saturday when her boyfriend Mike Smith rallied Mine That Bird from last into second place behind the amazing filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes. Mine That Bird was considered the fluke of all time when he won the Kentucky Derby at more than 50-1, but to pull off the spectacular come from behind surge in two major Jewels in two weeks puts this horse in a whole new class - how about if we call him the best colt in North America right now? After all, twice in a row with all the cash on the line, Mine That Bird has hit the wire several lengths ahead of Musket Man, Pioneerof the Nile and Friesan Fire. As for the filly, she’s won six straight, she’s the first to win the Oaks and the Preakness and in fact, the first filly since 1924 to capture the second Jewel. Should be fun if Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird both enter the Belmont on June 6. And should that happen, there is a certain possibility that Chantal Sutherland will be summoned to ride the Bird. She was the jockey last year when Mine That Bird won three straight Stakes races at Woodbine and had been called before the Derby to see if she was available. Calvin Borel gave Mine That Bird an historically brilliant inside trip to the wire in the Kentucky Derby, but he elected, wisely, to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Smith won’t be available for the Belmont because of other commitments ( note to Mike Smith - everyone knew the Belmont would be on June 6 - what other ‘commitments’ could you possible have made?), so thejockey on Mine That Bird right now is TBD (to be determined).
Anyway, that makes a great local story if Chantal rides in the Belmont. Julie Krone holds the distinction as the only woman to win a Triple Crown event. She was on the back of Colonial Affair when he won the Belmont in 1993.
Meanwhile, Tyler Pizarro is making some noise at Woodbine. He had three winners yesterday and each was at a price. Pizarro scored with Wise Knight in the third, winning the 61/2 furlong $16,000 claim race by a length and change and paying $12.40 to win. Two races later, he guided Awesome Easton to victory. Awesome Easten came into the stretch some six lengths behind the leader Would If I Could who would have won, but he couldn’t hold on. Pizarro and Awesome Easten were relentless in the stretch and passed the leader 25 yards from the wire. A $2 win bet on Pizarro returned $13.10. And it was a very good idea to stick with this polite, well spoken young man, because in the day’s feature, the $150,000 Vigil Stakes, Pizarro rallied 22-1 shot Field commission from the back of the field to a resounding, if surprising win by a length and a half at the end of seven furlongs. Sutherland came second on Dozen Dancer at 56-1 and that set up some tantalizing payoffs: Field Commission paid $46.90 to win, Dozen Dancer was worth $43.00 to place. The exactor was a juicy $1301.40 and the triactor paid $8047.20.The superfecta for $ 1 was worth $26,777.40.
Patrick Husbands, the defending jockeys champion still has a huge lead in first place with 39 wins…18 more than runner up Chantal, but the triple by Pizarro has him tied for fourth with Eurico Rosa da Silva and Jim McAleney.
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