Inside the Jockeys’ Room with Chantal Sutherland-Kruse

Chantal Sutherland-Kruse celebrates a Grade 1 win aboard Game On Dude. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and Chantal Sutherland-Kruse, a two-time Sovereign Award winner in her native Canada, take America's Best Racing's readers inside the jockeys' room in 2014. Stevens and Sutherland-Kruse will provide answers to all sorts of questions such as how jockeys get paid, what goes on between races, whom they admire and what type of music and fashion style they favor.

In this edition of Inside the Jockeys' Room we learn a little more about Sutherland-Kruse's overcoming of superstitions and whom she admires.

Do you have any kind of rituals or superstitions before you race?     

SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Rituals and superstitions! This has challenged me a little and I used to be very OCD about what foot to put my boot on first or my shirt and bandana, and it eventually got out of hand. I believe that I once read a scripture or heard something in church or by Joel Osteen saying that God does not want us to believe in superstitions and to rather have faith unto him. That was it, and I let it all go. For now, I just wear a cross necklace when I ride.  

What song best describes your work ethic?        

SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Katy Perry’s “Roar”.

Have you ever stolen anything from a hotel? If yes, what?    
  
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: No.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?     
                 
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE:  Healthy chicken and Quinoa. 

What makes you angry?          
      
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: People who are mean.

Do you do any volunteer work? If so, for whom?

SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: I do anything that I am asked. I wish I could do more.

Which current fellow jockey do you admire the most and why?  
       
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Kayla [Stra] … mother, jockey, yoga studio. After she wins, she breast feeds. That’s heroic.

What was your lucky break?      
               
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Game On Dude

What’s the magic formula for success?   

SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Not sure. Let me know if you find out. Hard work and a little intelligence must be in there. 

What is your most valued racing memento?      

SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: My saddles. They are all pink and someone once told me that I could never do that and be successful. Well, IDON’TPINKALOT OF YOU. Should be a name of a horse or maybe IPINKALOTOFYOU!