Chantal Sutherland will be able to ride Game On Dude in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 26 after British racing authorities granted her a partial stay of a four-day suspension earned last weekend.
Sutherland was penalized for excessive use of the whip while participating in the Shergar Cup, an international jockey team competition at Ascot Aug. 11. The original suspension was to last Aug. 25-28.
However, Del Mar stewards Aug. 15 were in receipt of a fax from the British Horseracing Authority granting Sutherland a partial stay of a four-day suspension to allow her to ride Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic. Sutherland is the regular rider of Game On Dude and has victories in the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap and 2012 Hollywood Gold Cup (both gr. I) on the Bob Baffert-trained horse.
The BHA memo, sent under the signature of Angela Smith, was in response to a request from Sutherland's agent, Tommy Ball, that Sutherland be able to defer the Sunday racing day of suspension to ride the Pacific Classic and other races on the card.
The BHA response, which included a copy of the applicable British rules, said that Sutherland could defer the suspension day of the 26th to Wednesday, Aug. 29. It means she will serve the four-day ban on Aug. 25 and Aug. 27-29.
Del Mar's stewards Tom Ward, Scott Chaney, and Kim Sawyer are expected to allow the deferment.