When Chantal Sutherland-Kruse tries for the North American trotting under saddle record Monday at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, two of harness racing’s most accomplished horsemen will be part of the effort.
The Meadows and The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) announced today that Dave Palone, the “winningest” driver in North American harness history, and Ron Burke, who has topped the North American trainers standings each year since 2009, will drive the prompters in the record attempt.
The event, which will follow traditional harness racing “time trial” standards, will take place at approximately 3 p.m. after the seventh race on The Meadows’ card.
Sutherland will be aboard DWs NY Yank, the Burke trainee who boasts a lifetime mark of 1:51.3(f) and career earnings of $204,988. The pair will be trying to beat 1:59.1; that’s the North American record for five-eighths-mile tracks established by Karen Isbell and Fort Valley As on June 29, 2013 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
As a special feature, Sutherland-Kruse will be wearing an HD “helmetcam” provided by EquiSight Inc. to offer a unique view of the time trial. The video will be posted on YouTube and can be accessed at www.youtube.com/equisight or www.youtube.com/user/TheMsoa.
Sutherland-Kruse, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prominent jockeys, twice was apprentice of the year in her native Canada. Her mounts have won more than $47.3 million, and she was featured on Animal Planet’s Jockeys series as well as the HBO series Luck. The graduate of Toronto’s York University was named one of the “100 Most Beautiful People” by People Magazine in 2006.
Riding a Standardbred, however, represents a return to her roots. She was around Standardbreds for much of her youth as her father, Hugh Sutherland, was a Standardbred trainer and campaigned many horses at The Meadows in the Garry Martin stable.
Palone, meanwhile will have other important business on Monday’s card. With his career total at 15,995, he needs five wins to become the first North American driver with 16,000 victories.
(The Meadows)