The Inside Track | Issue #142 | July 26, 2024 | |
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ASD Hours
- Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- VLT machines are sanitized between use
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Revised 2024 Live Race Dates
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Monday, May 20 to Tuesday, September 24 - click here for schedule
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In this edition . . .
- What's happening at the Downs?
- Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament
- Free ASD Programs and more
- Free Family Fun Activities every Monday
- Manitoba Derby VIP
- Win $500 Cash After Each Live Race Night
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Big Crowds and Fillies Highlight Week at ASD
- Harvey Warner Memorial Park Dedication
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time: Wheat City Handicap
- King's Plate Update
- Betting On a Closer in Jim Dandy
- Auguste Rodin Headlines King George
- Bob's Blog: The Dean of Trainers
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Las Vegas Challenge Tournaments:
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 12
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, Sept. 2
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, Sept. 23
PRIZES: The tournament winner receives a trip for two to Las Vegas and a trophy (the winner will be provided $3,500 to book their trip to Las Vegas). Second place finisher will receive a $500 deposit to their HPI account, the third place finisher will receive a $250 deposit to their HPI account.
Entry fee into the Las Vegas Challenge is $50 but can be reduced by qualifying on Assiniboia Downs’ race cards leading up to the tournament. To qualify you must select the horse that you think will win each race on the Assiniboia Downs race card. Email your selections for that race night to Sheri at sherig@ASDowns.com prior to the start of racing. If you select three winners on the race card, your entry fee is reduced to $25. For every other race card that you select three winners on your entry fee is reduced by another $5.
2024 Tournament Winners:
- Player's Choice - Saturday, January 20 - Winner: Ron Phelps
- Player's Choice - Saturday, February 17 - Winner: Trevor Phelps
- Player's Choice - Saturday, March 16 - Winner: Don Allard
- Player's Choice - Saturday, April 13 - Winner: Myron Fedoruk
- Player's Choice - Saturday, May 11 - Winner: Kevin Arnst
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, June 17 - Winner: Darcy Penner
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 8 - Winner: Brittany Jonatanson
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Assiniboia Downs Player Portal
Assiniboia Downs racing information in one convenient place!
Check out our Player Portal here
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Free Family Fun Every Monday
Join us for free family fun activities every Monday through to Monday, September 2.
- Bouncy castles
- Face painting
- Live entertainment
- The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
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Manitoba Derby Night Monday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m.
- $125,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year olds presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile
- $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes
- Mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5 (if not won prior to)
- $100,000 Guaranteed Pick 4
- Take your photo in front of our Manitoba backdrop (in the lobby) showcasing your best Manitoba Derby attire. Post to Instagram and tag @assiniboiadowns for your chance to win a $100 ASD gift card!
- Derby Sweepstakes. Win a $100 win wager on a Derby horse!
- Family Fun! Bouncy castles, face painting & kids entertainment from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Special Derby history display by Track Historian Bob Gates
- Free admission and free parking
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Join us today in the Club West Gaming Lounge and discover why we're the ultimate destination for VLT entertainment in the area!
Premier Amenities
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Spacious Area: Our gaming lounge provides ample room for you to relax and enjoy your gaming experience comfortably.
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Sanitization: VLT machines are sanitized between use.
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Great Customer Service: Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing top-notch service, ensuring your visit is enjoyable from start to finish.
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Licensed Lounge: Sip on your favourite drinks from our licensed lounge while you play.
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Food & Drink: Indulge in delicious food and drinks available right in the gaming lounge.
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Draws for $500 in the VLT Lounge every Race Night!
Every race night a draw for $500 Cash will be made every race night in the VLT lounge at 11:30 p.m. during Crazy Hour!
Daily Draws for Cash
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Lucky Stars: Enter for a chance to pick a Lucky Star for up to $100 cash. Lucky Stars will be played at various times throughout the day/night.
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Lucky Spins: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enter for a chance to win $20 in free VLT spins. Keep what you win!
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This Season we will be featuring a 50/50 draw EVERY race night with proceeds benefiting Final Furlong and the Winners Foundation. 50/50 tickets for Monday, July 29 are on sale now!
- The 50/50 draw will be made each race night at 10 p.m.
- 1 ticket for $10, 10 for $20, 50 for $50, 200 for $100
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Tickets can be purchased from the VLT cashier’s cage, Guest Services, from the designated 50/50 seller or online at 5050.ASDowns.com
- Ticket sales close at 9:50 p.m.
- You don't have to be in attendance to claim your prize
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Winning ticket numbers are posted at 5050.ASDowns.com
- Manitoba Jockey Club LGCA-5630-RF-44247
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There's Always a Deal at ASD! | |
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$11.95 Daily Lunch Specials
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks from our Club West Dining Room menu or try our ever changing $11.95 lunch special.
Along with our fantastic lunch specials, we also offer happy hour food and drink specials and weekend food deals. Click here to find out more!
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Live Racing Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet | |
Enjoy our fabulous Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet from the best view in the house!
Our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet is available every race night. The table is yours for the entire evening and includes complimentary racing programs and tip sheets.
Buffet highlights include signature Certified Angus prime rib of beef carvery, seafood table featuring jumbo shrimp and salmon, fresh salads and side dishes prepared with locally grown vegetables.
Rotating entree selections of tender grilled chicken, crispy fried fish, sticky BBQ ribs, roasted meats and artisan sausages.
Dessert table features warm fresh baked pies and your choice of ice cream plus cheesecakes, tortes and our famous bourbon bacon brownie.
Reservations are filling up fast so call 204-885-3330 to reserve your table today!
Adults - $54.95, Seniors (65+) - $49.95, Children 6 to 12 - $32.95, Children 5 & under - $19.95
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Big Crowds and Fillies Highlight Week at ASD
Commandoslastdance wins R. C. Anderson, Gee I'm Foxy upsets in Debutante
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Commandoslastdance (#2) won the $40,000 R. C. Anderson Stakes on Monday evening at ASD for trainer Mike Nault and owners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds. Prayven Badrie up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The live crowds continued to grow at Assiniboia Downs and this week was the best ever! More of the same is expected in August and September and it makes racing so much more fun when a large crowd of enthusiastic punters are cheering their horses down the stretch.
Fans were treated to some excellent racing too, with large fields, two emerging stars and two huge Pick 4 pools of $127,347 on Monday and a whopping $160,530 on Tuesday.
On Monday, Manitoba-bred 3-year-old filly Commandoslastdance continued her dominance of the local homebreds with her second straight stakes victory, wearing down a hard-trying Offley Special under jockey Prayven Badrie to win the 49th running of the $40,000 R. C. Anderson for fillies foaled in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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Trainer Mike Nault, jockey Prayven Badrie, and ownership partners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds in the winner's circle after the R. C. Anderson Stakes. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Trained by Mike Nault for owners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North, the daughter of Going Commando-Sweet Tizzy Lizzy by Tiznow went over the $100,000 mark with her victory in the R. C. Anderson. The $17,000 Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale purchase has now compiled a record of 4-0-1 from nine starts and earned US $83,928, which takes her over the $110,000 mark in Canadian dollars.
Bred by Keaton and Aiden Ziprick, Commandoslastdance is the last foal sired by Going Commando, who was easily Manitoba’s top sire for at least a decade, and is out of a mare by Tiznow, who had unquestionable heart, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2000 and 2001. Both those races are worth watching, especially when you’re building a pedigree.
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Gee I'm Foxy wins the 35th running of the Debutante Stakes on Tuesday evening at ASD for trainer Jared Brown and Railside Stable. Ronald Ali up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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On Tuesday evening the 2-year-old fillies were in action in the 35th running of the $50,000 Debutante Stakes, and the winner was slightly unexpected. Gee I’m Foxy moved to the lead inside early and made all the running under jockey Ronald Ali to upset her heavily favoured stablemate Welcometohollywood, who ended up third after stalking from the inside.
Trained by Jared Brown for Railside Stable, Gee I’m Foxy is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Klimt out of Blue Mountain Stakes winner Foxy Sara by Even the Score, which makes her a half-sister to Fox Appeal, who finished second in the Chantilly Stakes and the Jack Hardy Stakes here in 2021.
Bid up to $9,000 US in the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, Gee I’m Foxy failed to reach her reserve and was bought privately. She finished second to Welcometohollywood in her debut, but showed good speed in that race and built nicely on that race in the Debutante. She paid $9.70 to win as the second choice, and has now earned over $25,000 US from just two starts. Well done!
|  | Gee I'm Foxy and her connections in the winner's circle after their victory in the $50,000 Debutante Stakes on Tuesday evening. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The Assiniboia Racing Club got their first win of the season in the seventh race on Tuesday evening, but they had to survive a tricky claim of foul to do it. Moon Connection rolled wide around the turn under jockey Shavon Belle and appeared to come over in late turn, bothering Big Investment and Renaldo Cumberbatch. There wasn’t enough video evidence to uphold that claim of foul, but Cumberbatch also lodged a claim of foul against Senor Jobim and Neville Stephenson for bumping him in the stretch, and that number did come down.
Managed by John Field, the Assiniboia Racing Club allows numerous owners to get into the racing game for an investment of $500, and it has had close to 50 owners at different times. That means the winner’s circle is packed when they win.
And it certainly was on Tuesday.
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Moon Connection and the Assiniboia Racing Club in the winner's circle after their victory in the 7th race on Tuesday. Congratulations! (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Looking for a Special Photo of Your Big Horse or...?
Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for
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Groom Olive Johnston with Commandoslastdance after their victory in the R. C. Anderson Stakes on Monday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
| Looking for that extra-special photo of your big horse, one you might not find in your win pictures? Track photographer Jason Halstead takes numerous photos during the races, and not all of them can make it into the win photos. If you’re looking for something frameable from your big race, or of your special horse, email Jason at jjhphoto@gmail.com. Prices are excellent! Almost as good as his photos 😊 | Watch and wager on world class racing from the comfort of your private carrel in our race book located on the 2nd level of the grandstand. The race book is open daily at 10 a.m. Can't make it to the track? Visit one of our partner locations listed below or wager at HPIbet.com. Click here for a list of tracks to wager on during the month of July. |
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Assiniboia Downs (July 29) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $397,467. Mandatory payout Monday, August 5 (if not won prior to).
See all carryovers here.
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Can't make it to the track to wager?
Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:
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"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group | |
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The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be meeting on the following weekly schedule:
- Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. on the plaza. Woodbine and Del Mar will be the featured tracks this Saturday.
- Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the north end of the Clubhouse. Assiniboia Downs will be the featured track on Mondays.
Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please email Larry.
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A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
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Charming Blue, June 28, 1969, Wheat City Handicap | |
On August 5th the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile will celebrate its 65th running. The race was known as the Wheat City Handicap until 2014. Pictured above is the winner of the 1969 Wheat City, Charming Blue. (Gerry Hart photo) | |
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Woodbine's champion jockey will ride Midnight Mascot in the 165th King's Plate
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Midnight Mascot will have Kazushi Kimura on board for the 165th King's Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) | There are just 25 days until the most prestigious race in Canada, the King’s Plate, worth $1 million and restricted to Canadian-bred three-year-olds. The 165th Plate, at 1 1/4 miles, is on August 17 on Woodbine’s Tapeta surface and is the big event of the Ontario Thoroughbred calendar. Update on how the field is shaping up from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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2-year-old champion Fierceness faces Preakness winner Seize the Grey
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Sierra Leone, center #10, rallied from off the pace to win the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April. Those tactics could be ideal for the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun Saturday at Saratoga. (BloodHorse Library) | |
The last three editions of the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga have been won by past or future champions Forte (2023), Epicenter (2022), and Essential Quality (2021), while the 2020 edition went to future Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide. The 2024 Jim Dandy this Saturday appears primed to produce a winner of similar acclaim. Although only six horses were entered in the 1 1/8-mile race, three of them are Grade 1 winners, and the small field notwithstanding, the Jim Dandy is shaping up as the most exciting race of the weekend. More from America's Best Racing here. | |
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Juddmonte's Bluestocking adds intrigue to midsummer showdown at Ascot
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Auguste Rodin wins the Prince of Wales Stakes at Ascot. (Edward Whitaker / Racing Post) | |
Auguste Rodin will spearhead Aidan O'Brien's squad in the July 27 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse as the master trainer bids for a fifth victory in the 1 1/2-mile midsummer showpiece. O'Brien, who has previously won the race with Galileo (2001), Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke of Marmalade (2008), and Highland Reel (2016), will hope to see Auguste Rodin continue his form after he bounced back to land the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot last month. More from the BloodHorse here. | |
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Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Our honouree this time around was described as one of a vanishing group of horsemen who helped blaze the racing frontiers of the west in the final years of the 19th century. The man was 80 years old in 1944, so our story goes back... way back. It may be an old story, but it’s a good one. Click here to find out more about the man, who almost 100 years ago, was known as the Dean of trainers in Western Canada.
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Upcoming events at ASD
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Lucky Stars - Daily draws for cash at various times throughout the day - more info
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Lucky Spins - Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. - more info
- Live Racing - Monday, July 29 & Tuesday, July 30 - more info
- Free Family Fun Activities - Monday, July 29 - more info
- Manitoba Derby Night - Monday, August 5 - more info
- Free Family Fun Activities - Monday, August 5 - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after each live race night in the VLT Lounge - more info
- Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, August 25 - more info
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The Inside Track Archives | Did you know that past issues of The Inside Track are available on our website? Click here to read them now. | |
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