Page 7 - May 2005 The Game

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Belmont beckons Sutherland
The Game, May 2005 7
By Chris Lomon
It didn't exactly take a jockey Chantal Sutherland a New York minute when it came to choosing her 2005 career path.
In her five-plus years of riding, Sutherland, who has called Woodbine home since she began her career in the saddle in 2000, has had to make tough choices, on and off the racetrack.
So, when the opportunity to compete at legendary
Belmont Racetrack
arose, the 29-year-old,
who has two Top Apprentice Sovereign Awards (2001 and 2002) on her racing resume, was saddled with one of the biggest decisions of her life.
winner Winter Garden to a win in the Star Shoot Stakes, one of 48 victories on the campaign for Sutherland.
While 2004 saw her visit the winner's circle just 28 times at Woodbine, Sutherland had some memorable moments, including a runner-up performance with 60-1 longshot Faswiga in the Ontario Colleen Stakes and a second-place finish with Lenny the Lender in the Grade 2, $275,250 Sky Classic
Stakes.
She also became the
third female rider to contest the prestigious Pattison Canadian International, once again teaming with Lenny the Lender in the turf classic.
"I have a lot of great memories whenever I think of Woodbine," said Sutherland, who participated in the

"I took a lot of time
in making my
decision, but in the
end, I felt like I had to
take a shot," said the Winnipeg native, who won her first career race on October 9, 2000 at Woodbine aboard six-year-old Silver Bounty. "I'll definitely miss being close to my family and I'll miss the people at Woodbine. I've been lucky to have great support from so many people."
Sutherland, who rode at Gulfstream Park in Florida over the winter months, has made her mark at the Toronto oval, including three years ago, when she recorded a career-best 124 wins and $5,751,417 in purse earnings, while ranking third in the colony.
In 2003, the graduate of York University in Communications and Psychology piloted multiple-stakes
Chantal Sutherland
Accomplished Older Horse Needs a Win
By Harlan Abbey
Probably the best older horse stabled at Fort Erie is Lenny the Lender, who hasn't won a race in two years yet has earned $300,000 during that time for owner/trainer Richard Jukosky. Not bad for a $7,500 claim four years ago.
"He'll have to win this year
or he can't come back in 2006
as a 10-year-old," said Jukosky, whose aim is the $100,000 Ernie Samuel Memorial on the Fort's grass course on July 17, Prince of Wales day. "Of course, if the right allowance race comes up before then...otherwise he'll continue to compete at Woodbine. They love him there."
Lenny lost a photo finish in the Sky Classic Stakes (Grade 2) and also was second in the Halton Stakes. He led the Toronto International (Grade 1) field until the stretch. Said Jukosky "It was the worst trip he could pos-
Colombian Emeralds International Jockey Challenge on New Year's Day in Barbados, guiding Maeve to victo- ry in the first race. "It's a great place to ride."
As far as expectations are concerned when the talk turns back to Belmont, Sutherland, who has modeled and appeared in a 2004 television commercial for Esquire watches, is content to take it one race at a time.
"That's how I'll be approaching it," said Sutherland, who could be back at Woodbine throughout the season to contest certain stakes events. "I want to work hard and hopefully, that will pay off."
Owner/Trainer Richard Jukosky & Lenny the Lender
sibly get, he was bumped and squeezed so many times. Chantal Sutherland just galloped him in."
As a 3-year-old Lenny was fourth in the Queens Plate and had also been second in the Marine Stakes, but Jukosky didn't know about that "back class" when he claimed the chestnut with the tiny white star.
CONTINUED PAGE 37 - SEE LENNY THE LENDER