For Dan Lagace, 2024 was a season of milestones, triumphs, and tough decisions. At the heart of it all was You Got It Kemp, the trotting colt who propelled Lagace to career highs and earned him a finalist nod for a prestigious O’Brien Award.

Known for developing and selling high-potential racehorses, Lagace took a different path this time, opting to keep You Got It Kemp in the family — both in ownership and in the deeply personal effort behind his success.

A last-minute decision at the 2023 Standardbred Horse Sale set the stage for a career-defining season. While waiting for a FaceTime call from his doctor, Lagace and his wife Michelle decided to search for trotters on the final day of the sale.

“We started searching through the book for the last day of [Ontario Sires Stakes eligible] trotters,” Lagace recalled. “We looked at everyone when we got to the sale as quickly as we could, but there were a couple that we liked.”

Among those was You Got It Kemp. The pedigree on the son of Muscle Mass - Speed Titan wasn’t overwhelming, but his dam had shown talent by trotting in 1:54.2 as a two-year-old. After reviewing her race videos from their hotel room, Lagace saw a big, beautiful filly with speed and a knack for staying near the top three — unless she made breaks.

“She was an E L Titan. She looked a little high-strung in the videos,” he said. “Then we went to see him [You Got It Kemp], they looked identical almost. You know, a big, strong, powerful horse. We were decided on him.”

Expecting the colt to sell for upwards of $25,000 to $30,000, Lagace was surprised when the bidding stopped at just $12,000. “I was happy. I’m kind of cheap,” he admitted with a laugh.

Unlike some buyers who second-guess a bargain, Lagace trusted his instincts. “Some of my best buys have just been a good old gut feeling,” he said. A conversation with the horse’s caretaker at Hunterton Farm reinforced that confidence. “He had nothing but good to say. He always said how he was a good feeler.”

For Lagace, You Got It Kemp isn’t just a top-tier competitor — he’s a family horse in every sense of the word. When the ownership papers were finalized at the Harrisburg sale, the names on them weren’t just his own but also those of his children, daughter Brooke and son Brady, reflecting their deep involvement in his operation.

“My kids are a big part of my barn,” Lagace said. Originally studying Police Foundations in Toronto, Brady has spent the past several years working full-time in the stable, including winters in Florida. Brooke has been hands-on for nearly a decade, not just as a worker but as a co-owner of select horses.

“Instead of giving a Christmas bonus, I give them pieces of horses,” he explained. “It gives them a little more incentive than just a couple grand. It makes them appreciate everything more.”

Shortly after the sale, breeder Antti Peltola of Suojalampi Stable reached out, surprised at the colt’s sale price. “They liked the horse a lot and they thought he’d fetch more,” Lagace noted. Initially hesitant, Lagace ultimately welcomed Peltola into the partnership. “We let him in and he's been nothing but great.

“They have a lot of social media and stuff like that, especially over in Finland,” Lagace continued. “He was really happy when the horse won.”

From the moment You Got It Kemp stepped onto the track, Lagace had a feeling he was special. “He was always well-mannered. He likes to play with his head a bit, but on the track, he's always been perfect.”

The real test came in the spring when training ramped up. However, that was no challenge for You Got It Kemp. Lagace said, “He did it easy. I’m not a hard trainer, but before we qualified him, we liked him. We thought he was a legit horse. But you never know until you get into competition.”

That first qualifier was revealing. Despite a flat tire and a missing shoe, You Got It Kemp still trotted in 1:59.2, with his last half in the :57 range.

From there, the colt continued to impress, winning his first Gold race and solidifying his place among Ontario’s best. Then came the defining moment: the OSS Gold Mid-Season Final.

“The mid-season final is where we thought, geez, he's versatile, he's fast out of the gate, but he can also just sit back and trot home,” Lagace said. “He comes off a helmet fast, but he doesn’t look like he’s moving.”

The OSS Super Final win was the ultimate confirmation.

“The money is great, but that was a time where we thought maybe instead of just being a player, we might be the player.” 

Lagace has built a reputation for developing young talent and selling his horses once they prove their potential. But You Got It Kemp was different. The offers came, as they always do, but this time, he didn’t waver.

That decision proved wise. You Got It Kemp proved his worth, winning five of his six lifetime starts and earning an impressive $378,167 — an achievement the Lagace family can take immense pride in.

According to Dan, Brady played a major role in You Got It Kemp’s journey, further cementing the decision to keep him. “He’s been a big, big part of this horse’s success,” Lagace said of his son. “Sometimes, he doesn’t even let me touch him!”

When the O’Brien Award finalist list was announced, Lagace’s reaction was muted, at least outwardly. “Stuff like that doesn't usually bug me. Awards or pictures or trophies or anything like that. I'm a money kind of person, but, you know, this one feels a little more.”

As for attending his first O’Brien Awards Gala, Lagace is stepping outside his comfort zone. “If somebody told me I could show up in black jeans and a T-shirt, I'd be happier,” he joked. “I own probably more white T-shirts than anybody alive. But I'm not a guy that dresses up.” 

Ultimately, the night is about celebrating excellence in Canadian harness racing, something Lagace deeply respects. “It’s the best of the best,” he stated.

Now, Lagace has firmly placed himself among the sport’s elite. In 2024, he achieved a career-best season, amassing an impressive $483,886—a milestone that cements his rising stature.

As You Got It Kemp enjoyed a well-earned winter break at Kentuckiana Farm, he returned to the Florida-based Lagace stable on Jan. 7, and the focus turned to his three-year-old campaign. The plans are to stake him in Ontario for everything. With the Breeders Crown being at Woodbine Mohawk Park this year, that’s an option too. However, they don’t plan on expanding outside of home.

“I don't think that he will be leaving home, especially if we consider trying the Breeders Crown, it's all at Mohawk and that's 15 minutes from home. He doesn't have to travel, he doesn't have to do anything,” Lagace said.

No matter what the future holds, You Got It Kemp has already given Lagace and his family an unforgettable year. “If he comes back as good as he looks right now, it'll have some excitement for us.”

The 2024 O’Brien Award winners will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the O’Brien Awards Gala, which will take place at the Delta Meadowvale / Mississauga in Mississauga, Ont. 

(Standardbred Canada; photos courtesy New Image Media and TROT Magazine)