The worlds of harness and thoroughbred racing will cross paths Monday at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Chantal Sutherland-Kruse, one of thoroughbred racing’s most well known jockeys, will team with DWs NY Yank, one of harness racing’s fastest trotters, in an attempt to set a North American record for trotting under saddle.

Sutherland, who has won more than 900 races and $47 million in her storied career. DWs NY Yank has won 11 races this season and banked around $200,000 lifetime.

But while both bring impressive resumes to the track, there is one “catch.” Sutherland has never raced the clock atop a trotter, and DWs NY Yank has never time trialed under saddle.

Trainer Ron Burke has been prepping the four-year-old trotter for Monday’s event. “He won his last start at Pocono Downs in 1:52 (on September 7) and since then he has just been training under saddle,” says Burke. “Allie Conte, my assistant trainer’s girlfriend, has been riding him and getting him ready.”

Burke reports that the horse has been training well. “He has been very good so far, no problems at all. He will train again this Friday (September 20). The plan will be to go a mile in 2:20, but with a fast last quarter, around 28 seconds.”

On Monday, Sutherland-Kruse will handle the final preparations. “Chantal will warm the horse up on Monday and get familiar with him. She needs to get comfortable with his gait and make sure that when the time trial starts, that we get to the half fast enough.”

The current record on a 5/8 mile track under saddle is 1:59.1.

“I’m confident he can set the record,” says Burke. “He will be ready for Monday.”

The under saddle event is sponsored by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.

Post time for Monday's card at The Meadows is 12:55 p.m.

(MSOA)