Sutherland has confidence in Great Hot
Chantal Sutherland is hoping for smoother sailing for Great Hot in
Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000
La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. Last out, in
the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4,
Great Hot was only three lengths off the lead at the half-mile marker in
the seven furlong race before traffic problems eliminated any chance of
victory.
The Brazilian-bred mare owned by Jessica Coudelaria and trained by A.C. Avila finished 11th of 12, beaten more than 23 lengths.
“She got kind of bumped on the turn and it was not the greatest
trip,” said Sutherland, who has
ridden the daughter of Orientate in her last six races, two of them
victories. “I think she was a little overwhelmed and kind of went,
‘What?’
“But she’s a wonderful filly. She ran a pretty hard race the
race before (winning the Grade II Raven Run at Keeneland by a head), and
it was a little quick back (three weeks), but I think A.C. knows what
he’s doing.
“Breeders’ Cup races are tough. But she’s versatile and she’s
pretty cool. I’m excited and looking forward to getting things rolling
again.”
The field for the La Brea, the eighth of nine races: Home Sweet Aspen, Joel Rosario, 9-2; Turbulent Descent, David Flores, 6-5; May Day Rose, Martin Garcia, 8-1; Include Me Out, Joe Talamo, 12-1; Sarah’s Secret, Rafael Bejarano, 12-1; Sugarinthemorning, Garrett Gomez, 12-1; Great Hot, Chantal Sutherland, 6-1; California Nectar, Hector Berrios, 20-1; and Teddy’s Promise, Victor Espinoza, 6-1.