by Matthew Lomon

When Tom Gallant first thought to merge the disparate worlds of standardbred racing and 1970s sitcoms to form Arnolds Horse Shack — an ownership group named in honor of the quirky, but beloved Welcome Back, Kotter character Arnold Horshack — even he couldn’t have imagined where the road would one day lead.

But like most people with a dream, and the accompanying drive to bring it to life, the breeder based out of East Caledon, ON, was prepared to see it through.

“What a ride it has been,” said Gallant. “We couldn’t have predicted the way it unfolded, but it all started with the hope of recreating the experience we had when a couple of us joined an ownership group almost 15 years earlier.

“While reminiscing about the amazing feeling that journey provided us, we wondered if we could try it again.”

With the help of his boss Steve Murphy, a few co-workers, and Gallant’s home-bred yearling Wheelzablazin, affectionately known as Vinnie (after John Travolta’s Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter), Arnolds Horse Shack was officially up and running.

Things really began to take off for the outfit, and Wheelzablazin in particular, following the arrival of trainer Paul Cameron.

“The first stroke of luck was when Paul agreed to take on this rookie group,” said Gallant. “He not only agreed to take on the task, but he generously schooled the group as he started on the lengthy process of turning Vinnie’s potential into ability.”

Although Welcome Back, Kotter was a little ahead of his time, Cameron, who remembers catching re-runs, had full faith in Gallant’s self-described “crazy ride.”

“I’d had horses for Tom in the past for quite a few years, and he’s been a great owner,” said Cameron. “Couldn’t ask for a better guy.

“He thought it might be a good idea if we could form a group where a bunch of people get in, it’s not costing them a lot, and see if they could have a little fun and get them introduced to the game.”

To which Cameron simply responded, “I’m in.”

The process of unlocking Wheelzablazin’s natural talent did not come without its challenges, but the Guelph, ON-based conditioner knew the payoff would all be worth it.

“We got him going late in his 2-year-old year [August 2023], and he was just one of those colts,” Cameron said with a laugh. “Now he’s a gelding, but he was immature, he would run at any time. You never knew what you’re going to get.

“But to be honest with you, Jody Jamieson, who was driving him, always said, ‘if you ever get him figured out a little better or he gets his mind on business, he’s got a good gait, and he feels like he’s got some go to him.’”

Driver Sylvain Filion, who only piloted the son of Wheeling N Dealin—Blazing Shot once, told Cameron the very same thing.

After being shut down towards the end of his rookie campaign, Wheelzablazin returned as a new man in his sophomore season.

“We brought him back at 3, and he just felt more reliable,” said Cameron. “He still has the odd mistake, but not very often. He figured it out. He just matured from 2 to 3.

“He keeps his mind on business a lot more now, and really likes racing, to be honest with you. He wants to win.”

That desire to outduel his contemporaries has been on full display in 2024, as Wheelzablazin currently sports a strong 9-2-1 line through 17 starts.

“It’s been a great journey with him starting with a win at Mohawk as a 2-year-old followed up by a sensational 3-year-old season,” said Gallant. “Our group has been to every race with so many memorable moments along the way. To say he is a special horse would be an understatement.”

Gallant, once again, gave Cameron his flowers, saying he’s done a “fantastic job” getting the trotter prepped for a breakout 3-year-old effort.

As for the horse who helped bring the band together, Gallant was equally thankful.

“Vinnie was the start for a group of new owners that have taken the next step of not just owners but passionate race fans,” he said. “Thank you, Vinnie.”

That, however, is merely the beginning of the story of Arnolds Horse Shack.

Enthralled by Wheelzablazin’s transformation, the grassroots group decided to grow their operation.

But this time around, it was Cameron leading the charge.

“Last year, I told them I was going to the Harrisburg Sale looking to buy one or two or yearlings, and they said, ‘if you’re interested, we’d be quite happy to get in on some of those yearlings,’” Cameron said. “And they did.

“They got in on two, one being Wickedpace.”

The second filly, Banner Day, competed twice but was shut down after dealing with a few setbacks. Cameron is happy to report that she’s now back in training and targeting a fall return.

Those who have been following the Ontario Sires Stakes have certainly heard the name Wickedpace before.

After all, it’s hard not to considering the bay filly has already claimed two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series events (July 6 and 16 at Mohawk).

“We couldn’t be happier with her,” said Cameron of the horse he purchased for $12,000.

It’s not often that a yearling with a modest price tag emerges as a consistent competitor, let alone a legitimate Gold Series contender.

So, what was it that caught Cameron’s eye at the Harrisburg Sale, when most everybody else had passed on her?

Simply, she checked all his boxes.

“Wickedpace’s mother, My Little Art, is a half-sister to My Little Dragon, who was a world champion mare,” said Cameron. “She produced some excellent horses like Stay Hungry, and several others. This mare, My Little Art, had some prior foals, but nothing really stood out.

“However, this was the first time she was bred with McWicked, and I liked the size of her; she was just a real good-looking filly. So, we thought we’d take a shot on her at that price.”

The gamble paid off immensely for Cameron, who co-owns Wickedpace with Arnolds Horse Shack, as the rookie pacer has already banked $216,872 across eight lifetime starts (3-4-1).

In other words, the team increased their initial investment by 1,707.27 per cent.

“Wickedpace has given our group nothing but excitement in every start,” said Gallant. “Being an OSS Gold contender has been a ride in itself.”

Alongside Cameron’s invaluable contributions, Gallant also praised Jamieson for not only embracing the Arnolds Horse Shack team, but also for taking on the Mr. Kotter role of advice aficionado.

“Our group also realizes and appreciates Jody Jamieson, Paul’s good friend, who has been there from the get-go with the babies,” Gallant said. “He has also driven all of our horses with great success, taking the time along the way to give his feedback to our group, which has been awesome.”

With Wickedpace benefitting from a much-deserved break following a hard-fought second to young phenom Chantilly in her latest Gold Series tilt on Aug. 31, Cameron says the plan for the remainder of 2024 is to stay the course.

“We’re thinking of qualifying her next week, and then she’s got one Gold and the Super Final left,” he said. “Hopefully we get some good performances there, and then we’ll turn her out, and bring her back next year.”

The level of success that Arnolds Horse Shack has found in such a short time has been nothing short of astonishing.

To think that not even two years ago, the project was still a ‘what if’ in Gallant’s mind is simply extraordinary.

But of all the good that’s come from the alliance of novices and lifelong horse people, perhaps no single contribution is more valuable than what their partnership means to the game’s future standing.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” said Cameron. “You see people getting involved for the first time, and they’re enjoying it. It makes you realize that this game still has plenty of appeal for a lot of people.

“It’s imperative to get new people involved, because I think that’s really what our sport needs at this time. For a lot of them it was the first time they had ever seen a horse or been to the races.

“Overall, it’s just great to see, and it’s been a really positive experience for everybody.”

A sentiment that is surely not lost on the man responsible for welcoming newcomers with open arms.

“A journey that started with a glimmer of hope escalated into one that nobody could have predicted,” said Gallant. “To experience this volume of success in this short amount of time is rare. The group may not fully appreciate just how infrequently this occurs, but everyone is humbled by it.

“We’re all just glad to have experienced it — I can’t say for sure if we all would have become so passionate about the industry had the journey gone differently — but I am certain that it’s been more about the process than about the success and the entire group continues to be hopeful instead of expectant.”