As 2024 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year Chantilly approaches her sophomore debut, many in the industry feel she's a filly on the cusp of history.
In a recent Standardbred Canada poll, the question was posed as to whether and when a filly could beat the boys in the Pepsi North America Cup. The majority of the votes sided with girl power prevailing at some point.
The most popular answer in the poll -- at 48 per cent -- indicated support for a filly to win in 2025. And since there's only one filly eligible, that filly would have to be Chantilly.
And while 34 per cent of the repsondents don't think a filly will ever win the North America Cup, 59 per cent of the respondents felt a filly would capture Canadian harness racing's most prestigious pacing event within the next five years.
Of the 1,349 people who cast a vote on the question, here's how the votes shook out.
When will a filly beat the boys in the Pepsi North America Cup?
- This year - 48% (645 votes)
- I don't think it will happen - 34% (455 votes)
- Within five years - 5% (74 votes)
- Within 10 years - 4% (58 votes)
- Within two years - 3% (36 votes)
- Within three years - 3% (36 votes)
- Within 20 years - 1% (20 votes)
- More than 20 years from now - 1% (16 votes)
- Within seven years - 1% (9 votes)
Have your say on our latest SC web poll by clicking the following link: If you could place a $2 win wager today on one of the horses that comprise the top 10 in the 2025 TROT Magazine Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book at the odds assigned to them, who would you bet on?
(Standardbred Canada)