SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 18, 2019) – Jockey Chantel Sutherland made her first trip to Indiana a winning effort, guiding She’sonthewarpath to victory in the seventh running of the $100,000-guaranteed Ta Wee Stakes during a special Thursday afternoon racing program. Sutherland timed her move just right with the small powerhouse filly, rolling to victory in a time of 1:37.62 over the seven-eighths mile turf course at Indiana Grand.
The heavy favorite of the field, She’sonthewarpath used just enough energy to slip directly on the rail of the start of the one-mile race setting in fourth most of the way. Be Nimble and Channing Hill led the field through the first half of the race and was untouched as Princess Causeway and Brian Hernandez Jr. paced themselves just to the back of Be Nimble.
Around the turn, the action began to heat up. Several horses made moves from the back of the pack as Solar Kitten split horses to gain positioning and Sutherland moved up the inside to close in on the race leaders. At the head of the lane, She’sonthewarpath made a perfectly timed move to the outside and in two steps began to put away her opponents, winning by one-half length at the wire over Aunt Hattie and Samuel Camacho Jr., who also closed late to finish second. Be Nimble held on gamely for third in a three-horse photo.
Owned and bred by Robert and Lawana Low of Kentucky, She’sonthewarpath earned her third win in six starts. All three wins have come under the direction of Sutherland, who connected with the filly before her maiden breaking victory at Fair Grounds in January for trainer Steve Margolis.
“I was able to get on her before her first race and she got up for the sprint,” said Sutherland of her first win with She’sonthewarpath. “She galloped really nicely, and I thought at the time she would be even better at a longer distance. She has great stamina and now that we have her under control, she is really good. Steve (Margolis) and his crew have done a great job with her. She hasn’t always been easy to ride. She pulled really hard. She can be feisty.”
She’sonthewarpath added $58,000 to her bankroll with her win in the Ta Wee Stakes, bringing her career earnings up to nearly $150,000 for the Lows. The Declaration of War filly got a late start to the racing game, making her first start last fall at Churchill Downs. Her win in the Ta Wee showed her versatility as it’s the third win on her third track this year. She has impressed Sutherland enough to accompany her on the journey as she continues to pick up victories.
“This is my first trip to Indiana,” noted Sutherland, who is nationally known for her riding skills in both Canada as well as in major stakes races in the United States. “I really enjoyed the track here at Indiana Grand and I’m happy to have the opportunity to ride here. The turf course is in really great shape. All the people have been great. This is first-class.”
A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, Sutherland was a top rider at Woodbine before relocating to Southern California about a decade ago. There she caught on with some of the top trainers in the business, including Bob Baffert, riding Game on Dude to victories in the prestigious Santa Anita Handicap and a second-place finish in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. After spending the winter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Sutherland relocated to Kentucky and has found a nice circuit in the Midwest. In addition to her success as a jockey, which has garnered her more than 1,000 career victories, Sutherland is a model and spokesperson and has also appeared in several television series, including “Jockeys” which aired on Animal Planet in 2009 – 2010.
“I really like Kentucky,” added Sutherland. “I plan to ride Ellis Park, Churchill Downs and Keeneland and then go back to Fair Grounds. Although I’m not new (to racing), I am new to this area, so I am working on momentum from this spring and building business. It takes time. I’m fortunate to be riding for Steve (Margolis) and he has some really nice young horses coming up.”
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle OTB located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2019 Caesars License Company, LLC.
Photos by Coady Photography
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