Sutherland hopes first win leads to more mounts

DEL MAR, Calif. – Chantal Sutherland was set for a busy Friday morning in the Del Mar stables, with workouts scheduled for each training session.

Then she won Thursday’s sixth race, her first win in 25 months. After that, Friday’s task list became more crowded.

“I’ve been on five so far and have two to go,” she said at 8 a.m., moments after climbing off a horse trained by Jim Cassidy. “Two people called last night.”

Sutherland, 40, retired in the summer of 2014 but returned to riding last December. Thursday’s win in a $16,000 claiming race on Olotta Shaken ($13.20) was her 45th mount of the year.

“I’m so happy and grateful,” she said while walking to trainer Vann Belvoir’s stable for her next assignment.

“It’s starting to pick up. This has been a busy week in the mornings.”

After she announced her retirement, Sutherland began working in real estate. She said she still has a minor involvement with that but wants to devote the majority of her time to riding. On a personal level, Sutherland said she recently separated from her husband.

Sutherland is best known for being the regular rider of Game On Dude, the winner of the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap. She won four stakes at Woodbine in 2014 but has not won a stakes in Southern California since Game On Dude won the 2012 Hollywood Gold Cup at the now-closed Hollywood Park.

Sutherland said on Friday that she plans to stay in Southern California but has not ruled out riding at Woodbine. While Sutherland has been more active in the mornings, she is not as busy in the afternoon.

Sutherland does not have any mounts on Sunday’s 10-race program. She is hoping to gain a mount for the Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita on Nov. 4-5.

“Hopefully, it will come around,” she said. “I’d like to stay here. Breeders’ Cup is coming, and I plan to stick it out. Everyone has been so supportive.”

The win on Thursday could lead to an increase in business.

“I think that’s what they wanted to see,” she said.