DEL MAR

Written by Jeff Nahill..... writer for North County Times

If there ever was a race track built for Sutherland, it might be Del Mar and the Polytrack.

Sutherland likes to let her horses get their footing in races. There was many a race program on Woodbine's Polytrack when Sutherland mowed down the entire field in the homestretch.

Del Mar has one of the shortest stretches in North America, but horses with a closing style have done very well since the installation of Polytrack in 2007.

"I think the Polytrack at Del Mar is similar to Woodbine," Sutherland said. "After talking to Brian, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita are more of a speed-biased track and I had to adapt quickly. I'm more of a patient rider.

"I like to make a middle move and finish off good. At Hollywood Park, you can't make that middle move. You have to be more forwardly placed, but riding in California has really improved my riding. I'm really looking forward to Del Mar because I think it's a more patient track."
Beach can't wait to book mounts for Sutherland at Del Mar.
"The horses get more comfortable sitting in a stalking position, or the pocket," he said. "You can ride a better race on synthetic. You can ride the kind of race you want to ride. Her style is to let a horse relax and sit and make one move. That style is more conducive to synthetics. Horses run for her. They show more speed than they would for someone else, and when you have that plus the positioning, that's a good combination."

Read the full article at    http://www.nctimes.com/sports/equestrian/racing/article_0f31ca87-0715-510d-b638-89ecec62fbb0.html