Harness: Profile of driver-trainer Alek Chartrand

What kind of car do you drive?

Ram 2500 Pickup.

Favorite dinner meal? Snack?

Steak; Ice Cream.

What is your favorite track to race at?

The Meadowlands. When I started in the business I got to see so many great races there. There is no better feeling than winning at The Meadowlands.

What is your favorite big event in racing?

Hambletonian. I worked for some great trainers and I was fortunate to be part of Hambletonian-winning connections with Steve Elliott (trainer) and Donato Hanover. That's the biggest race there is.

What would you say you learned from Steve Elliott and how long were you with him?

I was with him for three years. In my eyes, he is the one who educated me most on this business. I learned to shoe my own horses racing for him. He is a great trainer as far as balancing trotters and probably the most educated trainer I worked for.

How often is racing on your mind?

All the time, other than when I can spend time with my wife and son.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing?

Spend time with my family. I don't get much time to do it, but I enjoy it when it happens.

What is your favorite sport to watch? Team?

Football -- Dallas Cowboys.

What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don't know?

I hold myself to a very high standard and hate to make mistakes.

Do you make many mistakes?

In my eyes, yes. As far as in general perspective, probably not too many.

What is one word that describes harness racing for you?

Cutthroat. Maybe that is a bit harsh, but they don't give anything away out there. It is very competitive.

How did you get started in the sport?

I was born and raised in it. My father had a stable with my mother. I never had a job that in one way or another didn't involve harness racing, whether it was baling hay or bagging shavings.

Was there ever a chance you wouldn't be involved in the sport?

I don't believe so. Unfortunately I didn't graduate High School. I was born and raised in the business and it was what I was going to do.You are originally from Ontario.

How did you land in Saratoga?

I got the opportunity to go to Florida for a winter. I stopped in New Jersey on the way home because I had met a lot of people from there. Toronto and New Jersey are kind of the meccas of Canadian and American harness racing. When I was in New Jersey I got hooked up with Steve Elliott. I took the opportunity to go to work for him. I did a few winters for him in Florida where I met my wife and she is originally from the Saratoga area, so we chose to settle down here.You are like a throwback in that you train and drive.

Why did you choose that route?

I personally feel like I'm more of a driver of young horses rather than a catch-driver. I don't get that many opportunities to catch-drive. I like to develop young horses and drive my own.

Are you a better trainer or driver?

I'm definitely a better trainer than driver. I'm not electrifying out there as far as a driver. I feel like I can get the job done, but I wouldn't consider myself a catch-driver.

Your UDRS and UTRS have both basically doubled in this your eighth year of competition. What's changed?

I have a good quality bunch of horses right now. I have some owners in Mike Moore and Robert Marzoli that have given me opportunities to train some nice horses and it has definitely propelled me. You are only as good as what you have between the shafts. I have some nice horses right now and it has made a big difference.

Do you foresee or hope that your current success could spur you on to better things?

I do believe so. I feel like I'm getting more publicity now based on the fortunes that I've had and I hope to one day do even better.

What is the best advice you've ever gotten about harness racing?

Don't take it for granted. In one swoop it could be taken away. The ups and downs of this business are as dramatic as it can be. You're on the top of the world one day only to be right back at the bottom the next.

What was your favorite moment in harness racing?

Winning the John Mongeon Memorial Trot with Reigning Autumn (2017), a filly that my in-laws bought. She was probably my favorite horse for a long time. It was the first major race that I ever won. It was only a local Non-winners-of-2 stake, but that was probably one of my greatest days. I have the picture of her up on my wall. It is going to be hard to top that moment.

Which is the best horse you've ever trained?

My Pal Joe. I just won with him on Saturday (9/19) at The Meadowlands. I believe he is the most talented horse I've ever trained.

How special is it to ship down from Saratoga and win at The Meadowlands?

It is undoubtedly special. It is not the toughest place to win but certainly the most special. Anyone in the business knows to go down to The Meadowlands and win is special.

Did you have chills down your spine coming through the stretch that night?

Undoubtedly. The race on Saturday night, I was begging for racing room and finally just squeezed out. It was electrifying. It was heart-throbbing. When I crossed the wire it was serenity.

What's the one race that you most want to win?

William Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands. When I worked for Steve Elliott we had Artistic Fella. One year he got nosed-out by Mister Big in the Haughton. It was the most bittersweet, happy to be second but thought we should've won moment of my life. I want to win the William Haughton.

How many horses do you have in the barn? Is that a typical number for you?

12. It is medium to high. I like to be about 8 to 10 horses but a few people approached me recently about taking some extra horses.

If you could choose any horse in history to train, which horse would it be and why?

Riyadh. I remember as a child growing up my father was such a fan of Riyadh. Talking about it brings back memories of how great a horse he was. Also Life Sign. What he did in the Jug was unbelievable.

How did COVID-19 affect your life and business?

It affected it quite a bit. The business took a drastic turn with the shutdowns and then when we re-opened, with the lack of casino subsidies. I was fortunate that my owners were quite understanding of the situation and stuck through it. Hopefully we can thrive in 2021.

If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be?

I just want racing to be fair and for everyone to play on a level field.

How do you view the future of harness racing?

I'm very hopeful that it progress, but the decline of the last 20 years in attracting new clients and bettors is concerning. I don't think the sport will ever be what it was but I'm hopeful that it can sustain itself.

Time for the stretch drive:

Best Horse You Ever Saw: Artistic Fella. He was a just a great horse and such a physical specimen.

Best Race you ever saw: I have to go back to the 2008 Haughton when Mister Big beat us by a head.

Lasix -- Yes or No?: Yes, because I don't feel any horse should be hindered by bleeding. I don't feel it should be used in young horses, but if it can help a horse and keep it out of distress, it is worthwhile.

Favorite TV Show?: Friends.

Trotters or Pacers?: Trotters all the way.