Chantal Sutherland Sinks Super High Five

Ex-Woodbine jockey Chantal Sutherland earned a reputation locally as a must-use option in exotic wagering due to her athletic and intelligent rides. On Wednesday night, punters at Santa Anita made confetti of their Super High Five and Pick Six wagers when Sutherland stormed home on Ata Benchmark at odds of 35-1.

The final race of the evening featured thirteen maiden claimers travelling seven furlongs on the much talked about synthetic surface. Brice Blanc took the favourite Orientation Hall to the front immediately as Sutherland waited patiently at the back of the pack lulling the competition to sleep. At the half, Ata Benchmark was still sitting tenth while the favourite maintained a slim lead over the stalking Martin Pedroza on Legend Of My Own.

An all out assault took place at the top of the stretch as Pedroza briefly took the lead from Orientation Hall with Sutherland circling five wide down the lane driving her mount towards the wire. Orientation Hall fought back gamely mid-stretch to overtake Legend Of My Own but Sutherland's left-handed urging would not be overcome as Ata Benchmark hit the wire half a length in front.

Atabenchmark paid $71.40, $18.40 and $7.00 while destroying a Pick Six that would have been claimed if anyone but #1, #2, #6 or Sutherland's #7 had won. The Super High Five carryover is a ridiculous $211,063 and will attract serious wagering later this afternoon. Unfortunately, Sutherland does not currently have a mount in the race. However, the Pick Six carryover is a respectable $73,212 and Sutherland will be aboard the aptly named Exquisite Beauty in the sixth race. Be warned.

In other news, Triple Dead Heat has acquired a copy of the photo finish for show in Wednesday October 8th's triple dead heat.



The #12 horse, Bare With Me just hangs on against the rail as #8, My Bad, and #6, Bob's Ring closed late stretch to hit the board.

Is it just me or does the #12 have a particularly long neck? He just gets there by a whisker.

Finally, those of you looking for a little more lunch hour reading should take a peak over on the right margin where there are now links to Raceday 360 and a new section to Triple Dead Heat that I'm calling "Inspired Writing" which this month features Gathering The Wind