Chantal Sutherland to ride Game on Dude in the TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar despite her four-day ban
Despite the fact that jockey Chantal Sutherland is under a ban, she will be participating in the Grade 1 TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar on 26th August, 2012, with her trusted ride, Game on Dude.
Sutherland was penalized by British racing authorities for excessive use of the, whip while she participated in the Shergar Cup, an international jockey team competition at Ascot which was held on 11th August, 2012.
Initially the jockey had to serve the ban from 25th to 28th August, but the authorities at Del Mar got involved and granted Sutherland a partial stay of a four-day suspension to allow her to ride Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic.
The request for letting her ride in the TVG Pacific Classic was considered by the British Horseracing authority, who allowed her to participate in the race, provided she serves the ban on 25th August, 2012, and from August, 27 to 29.
The Sutherland and Game on Dude team has experienced much success, and once again the pairing will be the favourite to bring Bob Baffert another significant victory at Del Mar.
Sutherland became the first female jockey to win the Hollywood Gold Cup in July, 2012, when she guided Game on Dude to victory over, Richard's Kid, and completed the 1 ¼ mile race in 2 minutes and 04.19 seconds.
Since the Pacific Classic covers a distance of 1 ¼ miles, this distance should not be a problem for them.
On 2nd June, 2012, Sutherland and Game on Dude notched the 1 1/8 mile Grade 2 Californian Stakes.
Game on Dude and Sutherland also participated in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita Park in February, 2012, and defeated, Uh Oh Bango, over the distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Last year they were a whisker away from downing the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, but Mike Smith and Drosselmeyer proved too good for the pair in the dying stages of the race, as Game on Dude finished a close second.
Currently, Game on Dude holds an overall record of 8-4-1 in 18 starts and it looks like he will collect his ninth victory in this race.
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