(from Woodbine reports)
Jockey Chantal Sutherland enjoyed a memorable day at Woodbine Aug. 9 with five victories, among them a 21-length romp and a nose decision aboard Sugar Bay in the $171,308 Duchess Stakes.
After two second-place finishes early on the card, the Winnipeg native coasted to the winner’s circle in race three, guiding Sam-Son Farm homebred Storm the Castle ($5.50) to a 21-length triumph.
In race 4, Sutherland timed Ourania’s kick to perfection, winning from last to first with the Dave Bell trainee for an $8.90 mutuel. In race six, the featured Duchess Stakes, Sutherland saved every inch of ground with Sugar Bay ($9.60) and asked her to make a strong outside bid in the stretch. The filly delivered, running down multiple stakes winner Verdana Bold.
Then came two more victories by a nose each, aboard Dozen Dancer ($13.70) in the eighth and first-time starter Bold Course ($16.60) in the ninth.
Sugar Bay, an Augustin Stable homebred, scored her first career stakes victory in the seven-furlong Duchess and her third lifetime victory from nine starts.
The chestnut 3-year-old filly tagged Verdana Bold, who stalked the pace from fourth, in the shadow of the wire for the nose score. Gloriously finished third after prompting the pace.
Sugar Bay traveled the distance in 1:22.38 over the Polytrack surface.
The Ontario-bred, who finished sixth in the Woodbine Oaks and fourth in the Bison City, saved ground in sixth, advanced on the inside around the turn, and angled outside in the stretch.
Sutherland asked the daughter of Syncline for her best inside the furlong marker and she responded to get up just in time.
"I was hoping," said Sutherland when asked if she thought she would win. "I wasn't really sure. I knew I had some momentum. I was lucky to sneak through on the rail when I did. It just all worked out."
Sugar Bay appears to have found a niche sprinting. She is three-for-three in races less than one mile in 2008.
Trainer Mac Benson said two key ingredients were needed to get Sugar Bay to relax.
"Time and patience," said Benson.
Sugar Bay returned $9.60, $4.60, and $3.60, combining with Verdana Bold ($4.10, $3.50) for a $40.80 exacta. Gloriously ($4) rounded out a trifecta worth $150.50.