It would appear that there is virtually no chance Woodbine-based jockey Chantal Sutherland will be riding Mine That Bird in the Belmont on June 6. Mine That Bird worked out at Belmont Monday - he ran a leisurely :51 in the slop over half a mile and Calvin Borel was aboard for the workout. That would suggest he plans to pilot the Kentucky Derby champion two Saturdays hence. Borel rode the superfilly Rachel Alexandra to victory by a length over Mine That Bird in the Preakness and is the first call jockey for the filly, but Rachel Alexandra’s people haven’t decided yet if she will run in the third jewel of the American Triple Crown.
Sutherland’s involvement in all this is interesting. Mine That Bird was eligible for the Kentucky Derby based on his career winninngs, most of which came from three Stakes races captured last season at Woodbine, for which Sutherland was the succesful jockey. When trainer Chip Woolley arrived at Churchill Downs for the Derby, he considered Sutherland for the ride, but elected to put Borel on the horse. You can hardly criticize the decision - Borel is a genius at Churchill and his ride on Mine That Bird in the Run for the Roses will go down in history as the textbook example of how to save time and space in a horse race.
Borel though, jumped to Rachel Alexandra for the Preakness after piloting her to a ridiculously easy win in the Kentucky Oaks, the day before the Derby. Mine That Bird made another sensational move from last and second by a length in the Preakness and his jockey that day was Mike Smith, boyfriend of Chantal. Smith has advised that he will be riding at Hollywood on June 6, and won’t be available for the third leg. Steve Asmussen, trainer of Rachel Alexandra, said that if Borel elects to go with Mine That Bird, then Rachel Alexandra will carry Robbie Albarado if she runs in the Belmont.
All of this seems to leave Sutherland out of the equation. Too bad, because she’s been riding brilliantly at Woodbine with a couple of strong examples last Saturday.
In the 6th race, on 7-1 hsot Gigolette, who certainly didn’t have impressive form, Sutherland maximized her filly’s chances, keeping her inside and amongst horses down the backstretch, finding room as they straightened into the stretch and pulling away to prevail by over a length at the wire.
Two races later, she gave Sans Souci, a three year-old filly, a similar efficient trip, rallying from 7th at the half to a half length win at the wire in the $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes. Trained by Michael Doyle for Eaton Hall Farm, San Souci went off at 4-1.
Anyone watching Woodbine racing last year saw Sutherland put on a clinic on the grass. The turf season has just begun at Woodbine and you can count on her bringing in all kinds of prices this summer.
Sutherland has moved into second in the jockeys race with 27 wins from 163 rides. Leader Patrick Husbands has had a brilliant season so far - he’s won 43 times from 163 mounts.
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So right, great post! Thanks for the hard work.
- Field Turf