Scott Keppler gets back in the sulky

Hightstown, NJ — When he was a kid, Scott Keppler was introduced to harness racing by his father, Richard, who owned and trained a small stable of horses not far from Vernon Downs while working as an electrician. Keppler jogged his first horse before he was 10 and as a teenager competed occasionally as a driver at the fairs in upstate New York.

He expected to embark on a career with the horses, but life took him in a different direction as he got older, eventually leading him to a job with a software company. He still followed harness racing, though, and several years ago returned to the sport as an owner. And nearly 35 years after his last drive as a teenager, Keppler got back in the sulky as an amateur driver.

Keppler has won five times since returning to action, including twice this year in overnight races at Monticello Raceway with his trotter Brilliant Bob. On Thursday, Keppler and Brilliant Bob will compete in a division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s Spring Series at Yonkers Raceway.

Keppler spent the early days of his childhood in northern New Jersey before his father relocated the family to a 50-acre farm in upstate New York.

“He wanted to have horses and he followed that dream,” Keppler said about his dad, who passed away five years ago. “As a youngster, I was involved following my dad around. With horses being beautiful animals, I got hooked. As he learned, I learned with him. He was kind enough to let me do things at a young age — jog, train, all that kind of stuff. It got me fired up.”

Although Keppler went a different direction when he got older, his passion for horses remained and provided the inspiration to return to the sport and driving.

“I love and admire the equine athletes that are doing this work,” Keppler said. “I have the highest appreciation for what they do. Once I started to think this might be a reality, that’s what really hooked me again, my love of the horses.”

Keppler’s first victory in his return came last year when he guided his trotter Judge Ken to a 1:58 score in a North American Amateur Drivers Association event at Yonkers Raceway. It remains a highlight for reasons greater than simply being a win.

“When you have a nice horse that puts in a great effort like that, it reminds you of where you’ve been,” Keppler said. “That kind of put an exclamation point on this journey. You start off with your dad, then life happens, and your day-to-day grind happens. Then you get back involved in the sport, and in a sense it’s a tip of the hat back to your childhood.

“It was a special moment, for sure. I get emotional talking about it because my dad was a big influence on introducing me to not only the sport, but the idea that you could do it if you want, you just have to give it a try. That’s a big lesson that I try to teach to my young boys as well about life.”

Keppler owns three trotters and might look to add a pacer to his stable to expand his amateur driving opportunities.

“All the horses that I drive now, I own, so I’ve got skin in the game,” Keppler said. “I’m going to continue to be an amateur, but I’ll drive my own horses where I can because I think that’s fun. The guys at Monticello have been so good to work with. These guys have won thousands of races and they couldn’t be more generous with their dialogue with me. They’ve always made me feel welcomed. It’s made it that much more fun for me.

“I’m living a dream life right now. I couldn’t be happier.”

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA