Keplin-Arnason partnership riding the wave of success

The mood was jovial Friday morning at trainer Steve Keplin, Jr.’s barn, and for good reason. The 32-year-old Turtle Mountain Chippewa from Belcourt, N.D., won three of the four $50,000 stakes carded at Assiniboia Downs this week and opened a commanding lead in the trainer standings.

His horses had to survive three foul claims to do it.

Keplin won the $50,000 Free Press Stakes for older horses on Tuesday with Judo for owner James Parisien and followed up Wednesday with wins by Ginas Serenade in the Chantilly Stakes for three-year-old fillies for owner Arnason Farms, and the La Verendrye Stakes for older fillies and mares with Sophia’s Storm for ownership partners Arnason Farms, Parker Wallette and James Keplin.

The Stewards’ decisions went their way in all cases, and now Keplin sits atop the trainer standings with a 17-8 lead over his nearest competitors, winning at an exceptional 41 pre cent clip.

“It feels pretty good,” said Keplin. When asked how he plans to keep his head out of the clouds after his fast start and big wins, he was philosophical about racing’s cyclical nature. “Eventually we’ll get brought back down to planet earth,” he said. “But everything’s running good right now so we’ll just enjoy it.”

“We’ll ride the wave until it crashes,” said owner Barry Arnason, who is a partner in the successful construction company Arnason Industries. “And just get some more bullets if we need them.” Arnason knows full well the ups and downs in the racing industry, having been to the top of the game in North America with the best mare in Manitoba history, Sovereign Award-winning champion Escape Clause.

For Arnason, the early-season success represents a remarkable turnaround and the fruition of an aggressive investment strategy. “I decided I’m either gonna get out of this thing or I’m gonna go all in and kick some ass, you know?”

The partnership between Keplin and Arnason came together over the winter when Keplin was deciding whether to commit to full-time training at the Downs. “We had a horse a couple years ago,” said Keplin, who was previously commuting back and forth with horses and trying to decide whether to go full time or not.

Arnason helped make Keplin’s decision easier. “I told him when you’re ready to rock and roll, so am I. And then he decided he was going to go for it and I said, ‘Let’s load up’, and we went shopping. I said ‘Hey, I’ve got the money, you’ve got the time, let’s go.’”

Their claiming strategy has been aggressive and successful, and includes Keplin’s younger brother and assistant trainer James. “How many have we got?” said Keplin to his partners. “I think we claimed four or five this winter, but we lost a couple, so we’re trying to get more. Our goal was to have 18 to 20 horses here, and I’m short about four or five right now.”

Keplin currently has 14 horses in the barn, the partners are actively looking to expand, and new horses can come from anywhere.

Ginas Serenade was a $12,000 purchase in a digital sale “The digital sales were just getting started, and I’ve had good luck with them,” said Arnason.

Sophia’s Storm was purchased in Florida, and she has proven adaptable to different distances and conditions. “She’s won 12 races,” said Keplin. “But she won nine in Florida.” And eight of those wins came in high claiming or allowance races at Gulfstream Park. The six-year-old mare has a versatile running style and the partners are looking forward to stretching her out, trying to build on her record current of 12-7-3 from 40 starts for earnings of over US$270,000.

Despite their current success, Keplin remains grounded in the reality of horse racing. “We’re pretty loaded this year, we’ve been pretty lucky,” he said, acknowledging fortune’s role in the game.

For Arnason, who has tasted success at the highest levels, the current run is particularly meaningful. “I’m getting older, so I’m pressing,” he said. “You know, I’ve got enough to get to the old folks home no matter what I do. So I’m gonna press, and I’ll do it here.”

The veteran owner appreciates Keplin’s professionalism and communication style. “The one thing I love, besides the fact that we have nice horses, is the good communication we have, we’re on the same page.”

With three recent stakes victories and a commanding lead in the trainer standings, the Keplin-Arnason partnership represents one of racing’s feel-good stories right now, a perfect combination of aggressive claiming, smart partnerships, and the wisdom to ride the wave while it lasts.

As for the future, both men are optimistic about their partnership and their horses. “I’m looking all over the place for horses,” said Arnason. “I’m ready to rock and roll, and I ain’t shy.”