Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week

Jockey Antonio Whitehall congratulated by trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. after winning the third race on Wednesday with Prime Suspect. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

By G. S. Thompson

Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week
2025 Manitoba Thoroughbred Awards Presented

2025 leading trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. picked up right where he left off last year, jockey Antonio Whitehall was in career best form, and two star Manitoba-breds tied for the CTHS Horse of the Year honours at the Manitoba Thoroughbred Awards Banquet that preceded the first week of live racing.

Keplin, who won the training title last year with 40 winners, won with five  of his first seven starters on Tuesday and Wednesday, and also had a third-place finish to surge to the lead in the standings.

Keplin won the second and fourth races on Tuesday with Ceepeegee ($2.60) and Steal Your Soul ($3.50), and followed up Wednesday with wins in the second, third, and fifth races with Emirates Affair ($3.70), Prime Suspect ($2.10), and Taillights ($5.90). While the prices weren’t long, the horses ran like they were money in the bank, and it looks like Keplin is heading for another great meeting in 2026.

The only other trainer to win more than a single race during the first week was Wendy Anderson, who won the third race on Tuesday via a DQ with Please the Court ($4.10), and the sixth race on Wednesday with Bati King ($12.20). Singles went to trainers Jerry Gourneau, Eugene Burns, Make Nault, Chance Dales, and Demetris Topouzis. Topouzis, a new arrival from Vancouver, saddled the longest shot of the week, winning the first race on Wednesday with Stilettos Only ($30.20).

On the jockey side, jockey Antonio Whitehall was also white hot, winning with four of his six mounts to secure a one-win lead over Sven Balroop with three victories, and Javaniel Patterson with a pair. Singles went to last year’s leading rider Damario Bynoe, Tyrone Nelson, and Shavon Townsend.

Bettors flocked back to the windows both on foot and through the wires to wager $875,464 on opening night and $1,325,168 on Wednesday. The Pick 4 pools also picked up right where they left off last year, coming in at $87,628 on Tuesday and $123,506 Wednesday, and we’re just getting started!

The difficult spring weather was a major reason for light entries on the opening two days, but the horse population is larger than last year, and bigger fields are expected going forward.

2025 MANITOBA THOROUGHBRED AWARDS

The annual Manitoba Thoroughbred Awards presented by the CTHS and HBPA took place on Saturday, May 9 at Assiniboia Downs, and although there were few surprises, there was a tie for Horse of the Year on the CTHS side between Mighty Mikee and Mechanic Susie.

Bred by Larry Falloon, Mighty Mikee (Mitole-Piccadilly Line by Air Force Blue) was trained by Devon Gittens to win the CTHS Sales Stakes and Buffalo Stakes in 2025 for owners Falloon, Mclaren Racing and Anne Champion. Mechanic Susie (Nonios-Quantum Mechanics by Einstein) was also bred by Falloon, and trained by Elton Dickey to win the Distaff Stakes for ownership partners Falloon, Dickey, and Tom Payne.

CTHS Milestone Awards were presented to Dr. Ross McKague and Hedy Kling.

The Horse of the Year on the HBPA side was Judo, trained by Steve Keplin, Jr. for owner James Parisien to win three stakes in 2025, including the Free Press, the R.J. Speers Memorial, and the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile. Longtime owner/breeder Barry Arnason was also presented with the HBPA Award of Distinction.

2025 CTHS AWARD WINNERS

2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Mighty Mikee, Breeder –  Larry Falloon

3-Year-Old Filly: Twolefttoload, Breeders – Cam Ziprick, Charles Fouillard & Stephane Fouillard

3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Betterlucknexttime, Breeders – Larry Falloon & Denis Huberdeau

Older Mare: Mechanic Susie, Breeder – Larry Falloon

Older Horse: McKague, Breeder – Nearco Ltd.

Broodmare Award of Excellence: Quantum Mechanics Owner – Larry Falloon

Breeder of the Year: Larry Falloon and Denis Huberdeau

Stallion of the Year: Nonios, Owner – Larry Falloon and Denis Huberdeau

 Co-Champion Manitoba Bred Horse of the Year: Mechanic Susie, Mighty Mikee

CTHS Milestone Award: Dr. Ross McKague, Hedy Kling

2025 HBPA AWARD WINNERS

2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Omaha Warrior, Owners – Bonnie McCrory and Gary Danelson, Trainer – Jared Brown

2-Year-Old Filly: Wecanonlyimagine, Owners – Jared Brown and John Ganas, Trainer – Jared Brown

3-Year-Old Filly: Welcometohollywood, Owners – Jared Brown and John Ganas, Trainer – Jared Brown

3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Mr Jaws, Owner – Henry S. Witt, Jr., Trainer – Jerry Gourneau

Older Mare: Burrow Down, Owner – Gerald Bachishin, Trainer – Mike Taphorn

Older Horse: Judo, Owner – James Parisien, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.

Sprinter of the Year: Sophia’s Storm, Owners – Arnason Farms, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.

Harry Crane Memorial: Best of Greeley, Owners – Drop ‘en Racing, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.

Most Astute Claim: Blackteca, Owners – Drop ‘en Racing, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.

Horse of the Year: Judo, Owner – James Parisien, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.

Leading Trainer: Steve Keplin, Jr. – 130 starts / 40 wins / 32%

High Win Percentage Trainer: Mike Nault – 89 starts / 32 wins / 36%

Leading Jockey: Damario Bynoe – 226 starts / 60 wins

Leading Apprentice Jockey: Ciera Pruitt – 123 starts / 12 wins

HBPA Award of Distinction: Barry Arnason