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Chantal Sutherland ‘In A Zone’ With Five Straight Multi-Win Days At Gulfstream Park

Chantal Sutherland is riding a streak of five consecutive multi-win days at Gulfstream Park while continuing her inspired resurgence by climbing into second place in the jockey standings for the fall meeting.

“I feel like I am in a zone. I'm super-happy. When you have a lot of experience, you go to bed early, take care of your body,” the 46-year-old jockey who launched her career in her native Canada in 2000. “I live an actual boring life, other than racing. I'm so focused on racing. I'm so happy here. I'm in a good place.”

The multiple Grade 1 stakes-winning jockey with nearly 1150 career victories, has ridden 12 winners over the past five racing days at Gulfstream, including a pair of three-win days and three days with two winners.

Sutherland's winning mounts have produced a $12.30 average win payoff, by far the highest average in the Top 10 standings.

Sutherland, who had a four-win day Oct. 24, returned to Gulfstream after a long absence to ride full time during the Spring/Summer Meet, during which finished seventh with 46 winners. With her double on Sunday, Sutherland pulled into second place in the jockey standings with 22 winners, good for second behind perennial leader Edgard Zayas' 30 victories.

“I feel more into it. I'm watching the races, studying my replays. I'm so much more present to everyone and everything,” Sutherland said. “I'm trying to learn Spanish as fast as I can. Communication is everything. If a trainer can feel like they can communicate with me, they'll feel like I'm listening and giving 150 percent. I know how hard they work.”

Sutherland has ridden more winners in 2021 than in any year since 2010 while developing a rabid fan base at Gulfstream Park, where she is routinely greeted back to the winner's circle with cheers and applause and where she graciously grants fan requests for photos and selfies on her way back to the jockey's room.

“I'm just so grateful and proud,” Sutherland said. “It's so good to see everyone happy in racing. I love it here.”

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‘It’s A Great Feeling’: Rodney Prescott Rides 4,000th Winner Thursday At Indiana Grand

Rodney Prescott, Indiana's all-time leading jockey in wins, hit another milestone in his career Thursday by recording his 4,000th career victory aboard We All See It at Indiana Grand.

Prescott came into the day needing one win to achieve the 4,000-milestone. He was scheduled to ride in five of the nine races, but it was a late pick-up that brought him the special win aboard We All See It for trainer Eddie Kenneally in the $34,000 2-year-old maiden in the fourth race of the day.

Starting from post seven, We All See It made his presence known early and was in contention for the lead in the one-mile event. Heading into the final turn, Prescott was able to take over and was on top of the field by more than four lengths at the head of the stretch. He extended his lead to over 11 lengths at the wire for the win over Ronnie's Vice and Emmanuel Esquivel and Rowley's Dream and Fernando De La Cruz for second and third respectively.

We All See It is owned by Rick and Ron Rashinski's Homewrecker Racing and Brad Anderson's Anderson Stables. It was the third career start for the freshman son of Street Sense, who was purchased for $250,000 at the Fasig Tipton Select Yearling Sale last fall.

“They didn't give me many instructions,” said Prescott, who has competed in more than 31,000 career races. “They said to let him break and put him where he's comfortable and set off the pace if we could. I knew we were in front quite a ways in the stretch before I uncocked my stick. I just wanted to keep his attention in case someone came flying up at us late.”

Prescott is currently among the top 10 riders this season at Indiana Grand. He has won three leading jockey titles at the track (2004, 2005, 2018) and has been among the top 10 in all 19 seasons of racing. A native of Portland, Ind., he began riding in 1994 and has competed in all 27 years of pari-mutuel racing in the state of Indiana. In all, he has won more than 1,150 career races at Indiana Grand and purse earnings in excess of $23.8 million. He also has several leading rider titles to his credit at River Downs and Turfway Park.

“When I started off in 1994, I had no idea how long I would be riding and if you'd told me I'd still be riding 26 years later, I wouldn't have believed it,” added Prescott, who is 47. “It's a great feeling to have the career I've had. I plan on riding a few more years.”

Prescott was greeted in the winner's circle by many of his fellow jockeys for the celebration. He was presented with a big sign to commemorate the 4,000-win milestone.

Prescott recently purchased a farm in nearby Franklin, Ind. Earlier in the day, his Rottweiler had 12 puppies at the farm, so adding his 4,000th win to the afternoon completed a good day for Prescott.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing concludes Thursday, Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11. First post all other Thursdays leading up to the end of the meet begin at 3:25 p.m. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.

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‘A Person I’ll Never Forget’: Racing Industry Remembers Jockey Miguel Mena

Friends and colleagues from across the horse racing industry continue to share stories of jockey Miguel Mena, who tragically passed away Sunday evening in an accident on I-64 in Louisville.

Mena was a fixture around the racetrack and spent nearly every morning breezing horses for different trainers. Away from the racetrack, the 34-year-old native of Peru would constantly update his social media pages with photos of his family, including two young daughters Naelah and Montserrat. Along with his two daughters, Mena leaves behind his wife, April, and many friends and family.

Here are some memories that were shared of Mena:

· Jason Barkley (trainer): “I don't know that I can put into words what Miguel Mena has meant to us from Day 1. He was such a great person to be around and always smiling when he came to work. I was proud to have him ride for us and I was lucky enough to be his friend.”

· Declan Carroll (jockey) – “I've been lucky to know (Mena) my entire life. He was a special person and words can't describe how much he'll be missed.”

· Wayne Catalano (trainer): “Miguel was a wonderful young man. He came in cheerful. He was an unbelievable kid and great rider. I feel for his family and two young girls. They were his everything.”

· Emerson Chavez (exercise rider) – “I have so many good memories and stories to count – each one holds extraordinary value to me. … I'd like to thank him for welcoming me to my arrival in this country and offering me selfless friendship. … I'm devastated, sad and can't understand everything that happened. … Seeing so many people disgraced by his sudden departure only makes me confirm the magnificent person he was.”

· Florent Geroux (jockey): “I lost more than a friend – a true brother. He'll never be able to be replaced.”

· Tim Hanisch (agent): “I really enjoyed working with him. We had a good business relationship together but we were friends outside the track. He was one of my favorite people from the racetrack. He always had a smile on his face and was in a good mood. We'd get dinner together a lot in New Orleans at Fair Grounds. I thought a lot of him as a rider and a person. He had a really severe injury (in 2018) and admired what he showed to come back from something like that.”

· Colby Hernandez (jockey): “Miguel was not just a friend to me, he was family. There are no words that I can ever say to express our relationship. We rode for a lot of the same people and worked together almost every morning and afternoon. Things will never be the same.”

· Brian Hernandez Jr. (jockey): “We are all just going through it together. We all lost such a good friend. Miguel was always in such in a good mood. He knew how to read the racing form so well. I spent the last 15 years sitting next in jocks room. It's just really hard knowing we won't see him in that room again. … There are no words, post or pictures that can describe the honor, respect or love I have for Miguel. I truly loved the friendship we had.”

· Michelle Lovell (trainer): “I will always cherish the memory of us winning my first graded stakes race together. He rode a brilliant race. He's a person I'll never forget.”

· John Ortiz (trainer): “We lost a great friend. He was a wonderful father, husband and just a great person in general. It has been an absolute honor to have worked with him. We at Ortiz Racing send our deepest condolences to Miguel's family. He will be missed by many and especially by all of us here.”

· Dale Romans (trainer): “He was such a good person. I don't know anybody who had a bad word to say about Miguel.”

· Jose Santos Jr. (agent): “Over the past two years I had the fortune to work side by side with Miguel. He was one of the most likable guys I had been around. I think a lot of us who knew Miguel felt the same way. I eternally appreciate all of the opportunities he gave me and I will never forget what we accomplished.”

· Al Stall Jr. (trainer): “There was no question his talent. He caught everyone's eye at an early age. I noticed him at Churchill in the early 2000s. The size of the race didn't bother him at all.”

Churchill Downs will hold a moment of silence following Race 5 Wednesday (approximately 3:03 p.m.). Those who are unable to attend can view the ceremony on “America's Day at the Races” on FS2 or through the simulcast channel on the Churchill Downs LIVE app.

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Four Stakes Wins Net Luis Saez Jockey Of The Week Title

Luis Saez is ready for his Breeders' Cup assignments after winning four stakes races at Belmont Park and earning Jockey of the Week for Oct. 25 through Oct. 31. The honor, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

On Friday, trainer Chad Brown gave a leg up to Saez on Value Proposition (GB) in the inaugural running of the Oyster Bay, a seven furlong turf race for 3-year-olds and up. Off as the favorite in the field of eight, Value Proposition (GB) was forwardly placed behind Battle Station. Nearing the three-sixteenths pole, Saez and Value Proposition (GB) took command and drew off to a 2-3/4 lengths win in 1:23.03.

“We had a perfect trip. He broke pretty nice and we were just there waiting for the top of the stretch,” said Saez to the NYRA press office. “He gave me a good run and a good finish.”

Saturday was Empire Showcase Day at Belmont with stakes races devoted to New York-breds. Saez was aboard the Edward Barker-trained Shipsational to kick off the stakes action in the Sleepy Hollow for 2-year-olds going a one-turn mile. Shipsational led the six-horse field throughout the race to post a half-length victory in 1:38.32 over a sloppy, sealed track.

Saez ended Saturday aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained Americanrevolution, in the Empire Classic, a nine-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up. Breaking from post five in the field of eight, Saez settled Americanrevolution in third behind Sea Foam and Mr. Buff. Entering the stretch, Americanrevolution pulled away effortlessly to win impressively by 11-3/4 lengths in 1:49.11.

“We got the trip we wanted,” Saez told the NYRA press office. “We were breaking outside the speed and so we just tried to sit and keep him comfortable. He came running down the stretch.”

Saez capped off the weekend on Sunday in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs on the main track aboard Wondrwherecraigis for conditioner Brittany Russell. Fastest out of the gate, Wondrwherecraigis went straight to the lead. Into the stretch, Wondrwherecraigis continued on the lead and powered to a 2-1/4 length win 1:23.31. The win marked the first graded stakes win for Russell.

Saez's statistics were 28-8-4-3 for an in-the-money rate of 53.5 percent and $747,949 in purses. He now heads to California this week for eight mounts in the Breeders' Cup races at Del Mar.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Tyler Gaffalione who won the riding title at Keeneland, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with four stakes wins at Belmont, Jaime Rodriguez who won the leading rider title at Delaware Park and Edgard Zayas who led all jockeys with 12 wins for the week.

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