Monica Sutherland concludes her inaugural season of pari-mutuel harness racing with a commendable performance, clinching 20 wins out of 105 starts, boasting an impressive 19% strike rate.
Hailing from Port Hood, Nova Scotia, Sutherland made her debut on May 28, 2023, at Inverness Raceway, showcasing her skills behind the reins of Eastcoast Ms Haney, a mare she trains and a homebred for her father, Todd Sutherland.
While their first race saw them finish a distant third, the duo quickly found their stride, securing their first victories in a thrilling photo finish two weeks later on the same track. Sutherland achieved another milestone on the same card, guiding Eastcoast Invader to triumph in the sixth race.
Reflecting on her initial successes, Sutherland highlighted,
"My first couple of wins were quite exhilarating. It was a fantastic experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it."
Although these were her first official wins, Sutherland had prior success in amateur races in Nova Scotia, accumulating several victories before her 2023 debut. These early experiences in racing paved the way for her passion for driving. After obtaining her trainer's licence in 2020, she honed her driving skills, setting the stage for her remarkable season.
Sutherland finds joy in the thrill of racing in the sulky, particularly when driving her horses. She emphasized the personal connection she shares with her horses, most of which are her own and homebreds. This intimate involvement from the training stage creates a unique bond that she treasures, enhancing her understanding of her equine companions during races.
One of the standout moments of Sutherland's season came on August 26 when she guided Eastcoast Ms Haney to victory in an Atlantic Sires Stakes B Division event. This win held special significance as it marked her first stakes victory, achieved with a horse she trained and a family homebred.
Raised in a family deeply rooted in harness racing, Sutherland's journey was influenced by her relatives, with Todd Sutherland breeding a significant portion of the family's horses and Monica's great uncle, Alex Sutherland, owning and training several of them. Apart from her racing pursuits, Sutherland is an accomplished electrician, a trade she inherited from her grandfather and pursued since her high school years.
Sutherland acknowledged the support she received throughout her journey, from taking her driver's test in 2022 to completing her qualifiers in 2023. She credited the encouraging community within the racing circuit for helping her attain her driver's licence.
Despite facing a setback in the Gamester-Pinkney Memorial Cup, Sutherland's determination and skill shone through as she bounced back and finished fourth in the final. She commended the program for providing valuable experience and recognition to young drivers, emphasizing the positive impact it had on all participants.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Sutherland expressed her aspirations to continue progressing and achieving further success. Eager to enhance her skills and racecraft, she aims to build on her achievements from the previous year and strive for a safe and successful season in 2024.
As the racing season in Nova Scotia approaches, with tracks such as Northside Downs, Truro Raceway, and Inverness Raceway gearing up for action in May, Sutherland, a promising rookie driver, is poised to embrace new challenges and continue her pursuit of excellence in the sport.