Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who finished second in the standings at Woodbine last year, gave Pretty Unusual a smart ride to pull an upset in Sunday's Grade 2 El Encino Stakes.
Sutherland ranged up behind the leaders with a quarter-mile remaining. Just when it appeared she may have to check her mount, Sutherland guided Pretty Unusual between fillies and found sufficient room. She said she was surprised that the filly closed as well as she did.
"When we turned for home, all of a sudden the traffic separated, and we were able to get through," she said.
Pretty Unusual finished 1 1-4 lengths in front of 9-5 favorite Stardom Bound, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008. Stardom Bound closed steadily, and ran like a filly who wants more than 1 1-16 miles.
Sutherland, who rode 18 winners at this meeting last year, has won five races at the current meeting.
