CANADIANS MAKE A SPLASH AT 2011 "BREEDERS' CUP"

Chantal Sutherland

Toronto's v. own Chantal Sutherland made us proud today with her thrilling ride in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky - Horse Racing's Championship Weekend. Although she didn't ride the Winner, she did a fine job aboard first runner-up Game on Dude, finishing right behind 2010 Belmont Stakes Winner Drosselmeyer, who was ridden by Mike Smith ...her Ex-Fiancé.

After cutting her teeth at Woodbine Race Track, basing her career there between 2000-2010, Sutherland now is living in California and riding at Santa Anita Park, where next year's Breeders' Cup races will be held.  Since gracing the World of Horse Racing with her beautiful looks in this Testosterone-dominated Sport, she has positioned herself among the best.  And she proved today she's truly is one of the best.

Above what clearly is talent, she also possesses Star Power which is just what might be needed to help the Sport reach a wider and younger audience. Sutherland has been photographed for a spread in Vogue Magazine by famed Photographer Annie Leibovitz, starred in Animal Planet Reality Series Jockeys and even was named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People.  Although not many know it, she was at one point considered for ABC's Dancing with the Stars too.

Sutherland however, wasn't the only one to give us Torontonians a reason to celebrate this weekend.  Our beloved Emma-Jayne Wilson, one of Woodbine's top Jockeys (who happens to be Female), also finished second earlier in the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf aboard local Star Excaper, surprising everybody as a Longshot at 33-1 odds.

Roger Attfield & Mr. Will-W.

On Friday, Woodbine-based Perfect Shirl posted a shocking upset against the World's finest in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 27-1 odds for local Trainer, Roger Attfield.  Two year-old Filly Hard Not to Like also placed a respectable fifth in the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. We did it!

Although they're still uploading them, you can watch all the 2011 Breeders' Cup races here. 

...until next year!

(Photo credit: ESPN | Mr. Will-W.)