V86 SuperDays® (Wednesday): Schön sees the light at the end of the tunnel
After several months of sick horses, Marcus Schön is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Yes, the horses have gotten their harmony back," says the Solvalla trainer going into the V86® races on Wednesday.
Marcus Schön has been responsible for Stall Courant's yearlings and 2-year-olds at Molnebo, outside Uppsala for a couple of years. He became a professional trainer almost two years ago, but the setup remains the same.
"There is no big difference compared to recent years. I train 13 2-year-olds who are all very nice individuals that I hope to showcase next year. We also train six horses that are three years old, or older," says Marcus Schön.
After a strong start with several V75® wins last year and early this year, the stable had a dip this past spring and the horses got sick.
"It's a combination of different things. There were problems with the environment in the stable and the horses kept getting sick and couldn't shake it off. We have kept the starts to a minimum on purpose so we could figure out the problem. But it feels like we are getting back now and the horses have gotten their harmony back".
Fitting race
For the third consecutive year, ATG offers V86 SuperDays® — six V86® cards in eight days starting Wednesday when the card is split between Åby and Solvalla. The Schön stable leaves the home track for the west coast.
The race named The Red Mile (V86-7) fits both 2 Iznogoud AM and more so 9 Secret Volo very well since there are not many suitable races for the latter right now.
Iznogoud Am finished second in the Sprint Championship as well as the Grand Prix de l'UET, and made it to the final of the Swedish Trotting Derby as a 4-year-old, but has not had much success at age five and six.
"Things have not worked with him for different reasons and he has also been sick. He won his first start for me this year, which was a cheap race in Eskilstuna, and you shouldn't focus too much on that. On a positive note, he was calm and harmonic. But I wasn't happy with how he trotted, it wasn't at all the way I wanted to showcase him, he couldn't get his gait together".
He has not raced since then, how does he feel now?
"I'm pleased with him. He has trained for a while and feels good again. I haven't trained him faster than 1:38/2,100 meters on our track which is pretty deep. He can go, he has shown that several times, he just has to get everything together".
Will you be surprised if he wins, considering his history?
"No, if he is good, he's one of the best horses in the race. He's a very capable horse".
Are you making any changes?
"He will race with a pull-off earhood instead of a set one. Other than that, he races in an open bridle, barefoot upfront and in an American sulky, as usual".
Could be a longshot
You will drive Secret Volo yourself. She closed well in her most recent start, her first start since July of last year. Were you surprised by her effort?
"Yes and no. She has a lot of talent and I thought she would race well. I was very pleased with her. I had trained her in 1:42/2,100 meters at the farm before that start. She rallied fast down the stretch and Erik didn't pull the earplugs, so she wasn't all out. I was extra pleased with how low her heart rate was after the race".
How much better will she be with that start in her legs?
"Quite a lot, I think. She races back soon after her last start and it should be an advantage".
Secret Volo is four years old and the only mare in the race, what do you think of her chances?
"She has raced in tough races in the U.S. and they won't leave her behind. I am not making any changes and I think she could be a longshot here".