Search Continues for Battle of Exes Horses

Jockey Chantal Sutherland’s opening-day suggestion that the horses for the “Battle of the Exes” match race with her ex-fiance Mike Smith should be Ex Lover and Liarliarliar was a wonderful thought and drew plenty of attention to the event scheduled for Sunday, August 7.

But it was only a dream. Built from conversations last Wednesday morning around the barn of trainer Jeff Mullins, who conditions both horses, hours before the meeting was to open.

Ex Lover, with Sutherland to ride, is entered in the fourth race on Sunday’s program, an allowance event at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. And Liarliarliar, Mullins said Saturday morning, isn’t ready to run at this time.

The search for the horses for the match race by racing secretary Tom Robbins will continue. Trainer Mike Puype is among those who have put forth candidates.