Trainer has to balance racing a winner, and a pandemic
Chantal Mitchell isn’t sure she should be racing Alicorn south of the border
Chantal Mitchell has very mixed feelings about her world these days.
On one hand, the Waterdown horse trainer is more than pleased with the return of champion pacing filly, Alicorn. Now three, last year’s Canadian Two Year Old Filly Pacer of the Year turned in an encouraging qualifying effort Thursday morning at Woodbine Mohawk Park. It signals what should be a lucrative season.
But, she remains uncertain about many things.
“Given all the upheaval with COVID-19, I’m not feeling very good about the idea of racing in the United States. Alicorn could have a number of starts there and in particular, I was looking forward to racing her in New York,” she says.
“But, what would happen if I was to get sick there? I have a 15-horse stable to care for. While it would not be what I want, it seems that even if the border opens up for us to cross, I should stay in my own circle and stay healthy.”
Mitchell is based at Classy Lane Training Centre near Puslinch. Alicorn is a big component of her operation having won $536,000 last season.
“I’m very confident about her. Everyone knows how small she is and while she has not gotten a great deal taller over the winter, she has becoming very solid and stocky,” says Mitchell. “She wintered in North Carolina returning to me the middle of March and since then has never missed a beat,”
Since then, it has been a juggling act for Mitchell. Not knowing when racing would resume has played havoc with the filly’s prep work.
“With all the rescheduling, her first actual race is not until the Ontario Sires Stake on June 29.
“I’ve been careful not to overtrain her but we still face the issue with the U.S races and the inevitable conflicts between races that is sure to happen. Her owners are American and at the end of the day will have the final say,” says Mitchell.
“My personal view is that with all the shipping back and forth, potential for sickness of the filly and just the uncertainty, I would prefer to stick close to home.”
Additionally, Alicorn suffers from allergies. “These allergies are environment related and diet. We discovered she is allergic to apples, corn, beet pulp and even Timothy hay. As a result, she is on a different diet and that all complicates matters.”
Having said that, Alicorn, like most première level horses, is blessed with some unique qualities.
“She has a huge set of lungs and tremendous desire to win. Allergies aside she is blessed with an immune system which I believe to be exceptionally strong,” says Mitchell.
“Her attitude in the barn is a bit nasty — she would kick you, but on the track doing her work, she is a kitten. That is until you turn her to go a training mile and then she is all business. Also, she has effortless acceleration that most horses do not have.”
So, on one hand Mitchell is genuinely excited about the prospects for Alicorn. But, the uncertainties about the racing season clouds the issue.
“I’m not the only one that faces these questions. But Alicorn is a very special horse. Really, it all comes down to what’s best for her. Last year, everything was so straight forward and simple. That is not the case this time.”