Originally posted on Paulick Report
Caden Arthur was well on his way to a degree from the University of Kansas, having devoted three-and-a-half years to majoring in sports management with a minor in business. Then COVID struck in 2020, leading to remote learning and a life-changing change of heart.
Arthur returned home to Mustang, Okla., and decided to put aside the laptop in order to spend time on the backside of nearby Remington Park. He had always enjoyed visits to Remington with his father, Kenny, so much so that they claimed some inexpensive Thoroughbreds trained by Austin Gustafson.
“I had no clue what went on behind the scenes,” recalled Arthur, “and it really intrigued me.” He called Gustafson to ask if he might observe work done at the barn.
“When do you want to come?” Gustafson asked.
“Tomorrow,” the young man replied.
Arthur has not missed a day on the backside since then. He started as a hotwalker for Gustafson and worked his way up. He moved on to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen as an assistant. He is nearing the end of his second year with dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and is a central figure in the extraordinary success that barn is enjoying at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Arthur, 27, oversaw the winners of the first eight stakes races Casse entered. The torrid stretch was highlighted by 12-1 Silent Tactic’s upset victory in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) after he placed second to stablemate Strategic Risk in the listed Smarty Jones on Jan. 3. It also featured Nitrogen’s encouraging season debut, a 2 ¾-length decision in the Grade 3 Bayakoa on Feb. 7.
Casse was not so sure about running Nitrogen, thinking she might need more time to recover from her championship 3-year-old campaign. He leaned heavily on Arthur’s input and is grateful he did.
“When Caden tells me a horse is training good, they run good,” Casse said. “I have that with my other assistants as well.”
Arthur is essentially a new kid on the block as part of a massive operation that revolves around Casse Training Center in Ocala, Fla., and extends as far north as Canada. Ten staffers have been with Casse for more than 30 years. Mitch Downs, general manager at the training center, is the senior man at 45 years and counting.
Arthur may lack experience compared to the rest, but Casse was impressed by the experience he gained with the demanding Asmussen. “Steve is a great horseman. If you spend three or four years with Steve, you are going to learn a lot. I got the luxury of him being well educated,” Casse said, adding, “I knew within 24 hours that he was going to be a good fit.”
Arthur has steadily gained his employer’s confidence. He helped to develop Sandman before the colt’s victory in last year’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, a race he will always savor.
“He gave me my first Grade 1 as an assistant. He’ll always have a big piece of my heart,” Arthur said. “Winning these types of races are the reason why we do it. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Arthur relishes his time with horses, especially 2-year-olds as they find their way. “You get the babies coming in and you see them progress in their training and their breezes and then getting to the winner’s circle. You see it slowly getting better and better and it mentally clicks for them,” he said. “That’s what brings me a lot of joy.”
While he admitted his lack of a college degree is a “sensitive subject” for his mother, Lori, his heart tells him he chose the right path. “I had no idea what horse racing really was until I started doing it,” he said. “I fell in love with the animals and the industry and there is nothing I would rather do now.”
According to Casse, Arthur fits everything he looks for. He is a skilled horseman, an excellent communicator, and he represents the operation well.
“I think becoming successful is going beyond what is expected of you,” Casse said. “He does that.”
Results speak for themselves. Yes, horses come to Arthur well prepared. He knows what to do from there. Beyond the remarkable stakes success, Casse starters went 18 for 40 through the first 19 racing dates at Oaklawn. Arthur sent out nine winners from 50 starters the previous meet.
Arthur’s focus is on continuing to educate himself and to grow. “If you’re not learning in this game,” he said, “you’re going backward.”
He looks forward to eventually going out on his own. When might he be ready to do that?
“I’m not in a rush. I’m not on a timeline,” he said. “I’m enjoying this. It’s a great opportunity what I have in front of me right now.”
When not working with horses, Arthur enjoys time with his 10-month-old Goldendoodle. He struggled to find a name for the fun-loving dog before settling on Derby, a name that fits his dream.