Chantilly, the 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year, improved to a perfect 10-for-10 by winning her 2025 debut in Saturday's SBOA Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A homebred superstar for Millar Farms and trainer Nick Gallucci, Chantilly had to overcome 10 rivals and strong winds to take the top spot in the C$133,512 event.
"It's always less than ideal starting a great horse in crappy weather, but she's a pro," said Chantilly’s driver James MacDonald. "When I moved her she exploded and felt like she was going to draw away. Then the wind shoved me down, and I almost grabbed (Millie May Hanover) wheel.
"It was some tense moments there, but she's just a champion...we came unhooked and sometimes they'll drop the bit after that, but she just jumped forward again."
Chantilly got away fifth in the opening quarter and was moved to the outside entering the backstretch. MacDonald ultimately just looped one rival and settled back in fourth while the leaders upfront kept things motoring through fractions of 26 4/5 and 54 3/5.
Wicked N Single took the field by three-quarters in 1:22 4/5 with Chantilly spotted third-over. In the stretch, Chantilly rocketed off cover into a stiff headwind. The 1/9 favorite would get tight to a striking Millie May Hanover before ultimately straightening out and kicking off to win in 1:52.
A daughter of Big Jim, Chantilly went right back to the winner's circle to start her 3-year-old season after going nine-for-nine as a rookie and earning multiple O'Brien Awards.
"She just seems a little bit bigger, little bit stronger," said trainer Gallucci. "Her hopples are longer, head check longer and just seems maybe she's improved a little bit in all aspects from last year."
Chantilly is eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup and is believed to be the first filly ever nominated to Canada's most prestigious harness race. The date for this year's Cup is June 14, the same date as the Fan Hanover Stakes for fillies.
"Either way she's going to be in a big event on that day in June," said Gallucci. "Right now it's just week to week just trying to get her as sharp as we can for next week. She's got an (Ontario Sires Stakes) Gold next Saturday and then we'll analyze the situation from there."
The top four finishers from Saturday's SBOA Stakes was completed by Millie May Hanover, who was second by half a length, Perfectly Chic and Lady Cafe Au Lait. Chantilly paid $2.10 to win.
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Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final champion Crack Shot overpowered his rivals to win the C$126,912 SBOA Final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Driven by Doug McNair, Crack Shot was one of several to show early speed and would eventually drop in third coming out of the first turn. The Gregg McNair trainee didn't sit long and would rush towards the lead, clearing just after a 54 3/5 first-half. Crack Shot would open up on nearest rival Fifth And Five at three-quarters and never looked back for a 3 3/4 length victory in 1:51. Sterling Choice finished second, while Boxer Seelster and Time Passer completed the Superfecta.
A son of Bettor's Delight, Crack Shot improved to two-for-two on the season and is now a seven-time winner from 10 starts for owners Gregg McNair, Dale Hunter, Frank Brundle and George Keer.
Crack Shot's victory was the latest victory for co-owner Hunter, the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights. The Knights captured their second consecutive OHL title on Thursday.
"It's been a busy week, but an enjoyable week when you win," said Hunter. "To win this race and to get to go to the Memorial Cup, I love it. It's all about sports, that's what is a joy about it. You don’t know what's going to happen."
With the SBOA victory, Crack Shot remains as one of the leading contenders for this year's Pepsi North America Cup.
"It's hard to win," said Hunter. "There's a lot of good horses and for me it's teams, there's a lot of good teams in the hockey world. When you win, you've got to appreciate every moment."
Crack Shot's latest win puts him over C$300,000 in career earnings. He paid $2.40 to win.
Team McNair had a big night at the office on Saturday, as Doug guided the Gregg-trained Galen Erso to victory in the C$130,913 SBOA Trot for sophomore colts and geldings.
A son of Green Manalishi, Galen Erso had to grind first-up around the far turn and held off a late push from longshot Fast Snap to win in 1:55. Chicago Hall was third, while Cousin Halifax was fourth.
Galen Erso was making his first for new owner Brad Grant after being sold by Marcus Melander. Galen Erso is now one-for-two this season and four-for-nine overall with over C$270,000 earned. Galen Erso paid $3.10 to win.
The C$136,513 SBOA Filly Trot went to 8-5 second choice Green Glider for driver Bob McClure and trainer Scott McEneny.
A daughter of Green Manalishi, Green Glider showed plenty of determination by marching first-up from fifth around the far turn and powering down the lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54. McClure was driving Green Glider for the first time Saturday, as regular driver Trevor Henry was out of town.
"I talked to Trevor before he left, and he told me just how much he liked her and how nice she was. Her lines just speak for themselves," said McClure. "I wasn't too worried about first-up. I figured it was between me and Monalishi, and the way mine's been finishing, I didn't think she could get by me."
Sprite Seelster moved to the lead in the second split and took the field by fractions of 56 3/5 and 1:25 3/5. Green Glider would wear down Sprite Seelster throughout the stretch drive for the score. Race favorite Monalishi, who sat second-over behind the eventual winner, just edged Sprite Seelster for second.
Green Glider is now two-for-three to start her 3-year-old season after winning twice in eight starts at age two. Her SBOA Final win takes her to C$122,764 earned for owners Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc. A $2 win ticket on Green Glider returned $5.30.
Live racing resumes Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 6:35 p.m. (EDT).
--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--