10/08/2012 6:15PM

Chantal Sutherland suspended after failing breathalyzer at Woodbine

By Steve Andersen
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Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Chantal Sutherland is eligible to return to riding Friday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Chantal Sutherland was given a five-day suspension by Woodbine stewards over the weekend for failing a breath analysis test, according to a ruling issued at Woodbine on Saturday.

The suspension began on Sunday and runs five calendar days, through Thursday. Sutherland, who was at Woodbine to ride in stakes races, was fined $300 Canadian and suspended “for providing a breath analysis reading in excess of the allowable limit on Oct. 6,” the ruling stated. Sutherland was taken off her mounts at Woodbine on Saturday's card after failing the test.

Sutherland did not return a phone call seeking comment on Monday.

Sutherland, 36, is eligible to return to riding on Friday at Santa Anita, where she is currently based, but is not named to ride on the eight-race program. She is expected to ride Thirtyfirststreet in Saturday’s $175,000 California Cup Classic.

Best known as the rider of top older horse Game On Dude from March 2011 until August of this year, Sutherland is winless with five mounts at the current Santa Anita autumn meeting.

Aboard Game On Dude, Sutherland won such races as the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap and 2012 Hollywood Gold Cup, but was second in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2012 Pacific Classic. Trainer Bob Baffert replaced Sutherland with Rafael Bejarano on Game On Dude after the second in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 26.

Game On Dude won the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 in his only subsequent start.

HandicapperErni More than 1 year ago
i wonder if her losing the mount on game on dude has anything to do with this?
Charley More than 1 year ago
I just heard Chantal has a mount in the Breeders Cup,she's riding I'll Have Another.
Jacqueline Ayson More than 1 year ago
drf
Bamb Ezzy More than 1 year ago
She married some hollywood tv producer
Charley More than 1 year ago
She is supposed to ride today,I hope she is ready for the rail birds.
Carson Horton More than 1 year ago
I guess she decided to join the club of riders who can't seem to stay sober? At least she's in good company.
russell More than 1 year ago
Ray usually agree with you but ultimately the trainers and owners will determine if she should resume riding or not. The suspension is irrelevant if no one gives her mounts. Think of all the top jocks who have been suspended numerous times for for narcotics and were given numerous chances. P Day, P Val, Chris Antley. I could keep going.
Mike Mcgavis More than 1 year ago
i can understand why she drinks , she probably turned alcoholic after dating mike smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray Sousa More than 1 year ago
if she was ugly she would have no support,then they talk about hypocrisy.fact is horseracing is a business and a drunk jockey is unacceptable,even if she is eye candy.its like drunk driving it places othre jockeys lives at risk and makes a mockery of the game .the fact that she gets only 5 days,tells me the steward are symphatetic to drunk riding.perhaps because they are drunk on the job more often than not.as can be deduced by some of their decisions.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Ill drink to that lmao!
redboy More than 1 year ago
Whos she riding in the Breeders Cup?