It's just a dream right now but James MacDonald believes, at her best, filly Chantilly could challenge the colts in the $1-million North America Cup.
On Monday, Canada's reigning horse of the year was among 69 nominated for the June 14 race at Woodbine Mohawk Park. It's believed Chantilly was the first filly ever nominated for the North America Cup.
"She has passed every test with flying colours so far so why not," said MacDonald, Canada's top driver the last four years. "There's not too many two-year-olds that have won horse of the year or gone undefeated so I'd be crazy not to be high on her.
"Now do I think she can step up and beat the boys in the NA Cup? I think that's a big ask but if there's a horse that can do it, maybe she's the one."
No filly has raced in the open event since it changed to the North America Cup 42 years ago.
"I think this is so good for the sport," MacDonald said. "It's just one more thing to draw new people in and I think that's what we need in this industry."
Chantilly won all nine of her races and earned $761,000 as a two-year-old. She's trained by Nick Gallucci, who earned his first O’Brien Award as Canada’s top conditioner in 2024, while owner George Millar (Millar Farms) was named the country's outstanding breeder.
"Do I think she’d go with (the colts)? I don’t think she’d be embarrassed," Millar told Ontario Racing. "And it would make for a nice story."
But much must happen before Chantilly lines up in Canada's most prestigious harness race for three-year-olds. That includes the first sustaining payment, which is due Monday, with others following April 15 and May 15.
"I think the first step is she's got to get back racing, she's got to stay healthy, stay sound training," MacDonald said. "Then if she qualifies, well, that's another step.
"She's still got to not only race well (in season-opening events) but well enough to think you can try taking on the boys . . . the boys are a different animal."
MacDonald said fillies can match up with colts when the animals are two years old. But at age three, the males tend to become bigger, stronger and faster.
"Especially early in the year," he said.
Chantilly remains at a farm in Kentucky and MacDonald expects to resume driving her sometime next month.
"It's definitely going to be a stressful, pressure-packed month for me when she comes back," MacDonald said. "But that's what I live for and what we as drivers want."
Chantilly's best time last year over a mile was one minute 50.2 seconds. However, MacDonald said he never really pushed the filly to her max. He figures Chantilly could pace around 1:48.0 and be very competitive in the North America Cup.
"For the most part when she raced she was well within herself, which is really a good sign moving forward," MacDonald said. "I think there's reason to believe she went 1:50.2 as a two-year-old and this year she'll be bigger and stronger and Nick does a great job bringing them back.
"If she's bigger and stronger then why not faster as well?"
And during a race, MacDonald said Chantilly gives him plenty of options.
"She has won on the front end a few times but she can do anything," he said. "If she's on her game and at her best and I think she can beat (colts) I wouldn't hesitate to race her any which way.
"She just has speed, raw speed that most other horses don't have or dream of having. Not only does she have raw speed, she can carry it."
Something Chantilly showed MacDonald in her second career race when she completed the back half in 52.3 seconds, including the final quarter in 26.1.
"At the last turn she was going so fast I was kind of holding my breath (because) I didn't think she could pace any faster." he said. "And I didn't think she was going to be able to sustain it, either.
"But she finished (final two quarters) in 52.3, which is blazing speed, especially that early in her career. I was worried I maybe hurt her but then she did what she did the rest of the year."
MacDonald said Chantilly was a challenge to drive early last year but matured as the season progressed.
"She was just high speed and wanted to do it her way," he said. "As the year went on she became just a dream to drive.
"If I wanted her to sit, she sat. If I wanted her to go, she'd go and if she wanted to go she'd let me know. We got to know each other well and you don't forget anything about driving a horse like that. She's a lot of horsepower."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
