Chantilly chickens out!

[The Answer]

Chantilly owner decides to skip NA Cup.

[HarnessFan1981]

The verdict is in for undefeated pacing filly Chantilly.

After months of deliberation, owner George Millar of Millar Farms has decided that his 2024 Somebeachsomewher e Horse of the Year sophomore pacer will enter the 2025 Fan Hanover Stakes to race against females. She was the first filly made eligible to race against male rivals in the 2025 Pepsi North America Cup and ranked highly in all the polls heading into June.

The entry box closes for the 2025 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations and the 2025 Fan Hanover eliminations on Tuesday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m.

In a conversation on Monday morning, Millar told Trot Insider that while he's confident his stable star would be ultra-competitive in the 2025 Pepsi North America Cup while racing against the boys, a number of factors went into his decision to opt for the fillies and the Fan Hanover — while also noting that race will not be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination.

"With this group, we haven't seen the best horses up here yet," said Millar, confirming a number of conversations regarding this topic with both trainer Nick Gallucci and regular driver James MacDonald. "I've got a feeling [the Pepsi North America Cup final] could go in 1:47 and change, and I'm not saying she couldn't go with them, but I just don't think I really think I want to push her that hard.

"I've been in the horse business long enough; if you push them right to their maximum limit, sometimes they race great and they don't really come back," continued Millar. "It's a long season. I just wish this race was just coming, you know, maybe a couple of weeks from now so she had a couple more starts under her belt...because that first start really didn't tell me anything and the second start made me wonder."

A daughter of Big Jim - Shiraz Seelster, Chantilly has won all 11 of her on-track appearances, banking $897,796 while sporting a lifetime mark of 1:49.4, taken in her most recent start. 

"I hope I don't disappoint too many people," added Millar, cognisant of the chatter he and his confidence created. "It has been exciting. The mare is just a special mare, and I think she really deserves it...It just seems I wouldn't make that wise of a decision."

[Brown jug]

so just a lot of hot air
she would get crushed by the colts

[Calhoun]

It's a long year.

Spring race vs colts not a good idea.

just an opinion.

[SDST2009]

It's a long year.

Spring race vs colts not a good idea.

just an opinion.

 An opinion I share

That filly, if managed right, will have a hell of a year. Why bother to test the waters now. If she proceeds through her year well, there will be another chance to take them on.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

It's a long year.

Spring race vs colts not a good idea.

just an opinion.

[Kenny]

Chantilly owner decides to skip NA Cup.

This decision does make sense. However, this is another example of how people acting on their own do hurt the future. Having Chantilly race against male horses in one of the biggest races of the year is gold for marketing and promotion. There are numerous examples of lost opportunities like this.

[Chessington]

This decision does make sense. However, this is another example of how people acting on their own do hurt the future. Having Chantilly race against male horses in one of the biggest races of the year is gold for marketing and promotion. There are numerous examples of lost opportunities like this.

Most trainers will do what’s best for the horse, not the sport!

[Bitter Truth]

I get your point Kenny, but don't buy it. Who would watch the NAC if she raced that wasn't /isn't
going to now? Answer: Virtually no one. It WOULD add spice to it for those of us that would have
and will watch. There's no one to market to or promote to.

[Papillon]

I get your point Kenny, but don't buy it. Who would watch the NAC if she raced that wasn't /isn't
going to now? Answer: Virtually no one. It WOULD add spice to it for those of us that would have
and will watch. There's no one to market to or promote to.

what is best for the horse is what the decision concerns--not media hype, fans, or "spice"

[Kenny]

I get your point Kenny, but don't buy it. Who would watch the NAC if she raced that wasn't /isn't
going to now? Answer: Virtually no one. It WOULD add spice to it for those of us that would have
and will watch. There's no one to market to or promote to.

That is not true. When Bulldog Hanover raced at The Red Mile, the place was much more crowded than prior years. There were many people who brought their bulldogs to the track. When See You At Peelers raced at The Meadows on a weekday afternoon, people took off work just to be there. People are drawn to events. Chantilly would have made it a bigger event.

Harness racing is dying becaiuse of the attitude you posted.

[mwins]

It was all hype. I don't believe there was ever a chance that Millar would follow it through.

[Bitter Truth]

Kenny, I have no doubt that those two examples were really nice 'Events' and boy Harness racings's
popularity has really exploded since hasn't it? NOT  Supports my point. Yes it would have been nice to see
her take on the boys [though if I owned her, I wouldn't have raced her either] and Yes it probably would
have resulted in a slightly larger turnout at Mohawk. In the larger scheme of things though, it's impact on
the sport's popularity would be minuscule if any at all. Look around , we're all there is. Us and the sport
are slowly withering away. The interest simply isn't and is not going to be there. No one to promote to.

[gh2009]

Even the nights their big races are televised on FS1, the ratings are almost non-existent, and attracting new viewers is virtually impossible.

[London]

Smart, not chicken...