The Inside Track | Issue #136 | June 14, 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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2024 Live Race Dates
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Monday, May 20 to Tuesday, September 17 - click here for schedule
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In this edition . . .
- What's happening at the Downs?
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Father's Day Brunch
- Gourneau Continues to Dominate
- Have You Ever Wanted to Own a Racehorse?
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time: Goldlure
- Dornoch Upsets in Belmont Stakes
- Belmont Stakes Replay from NYRA Bets
- Woodbine Wins for Best Women Sports Content
- Triple Crown Race Winners Muddles 3-Year-Olds
- Big 3 Headline Belmont Stakes
- Bob's Blog
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Las Vegas Challenge Tournaments:
- Las Vegas Challenge - This Monday, June 17. Deadline to enter is Saturday, June 15 at 1 p.m.
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 8
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 29
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 19
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 16
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
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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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New! Draws for $500 in the VLT Lounge
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: Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enter for a chance to pick a Lucky Star for up to $100 cash.
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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, June 17 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.
Call 204-885-3330 to reserve your table.
Adults - $54.95, Seniors (65+) - $49.95, Children 6 to 12 - $32.95, Children 5 & under - $19.95
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Father's Day Brunch - Sunday, June 16
Treat Dad to an unforgettable brunch on Sunday, June 16th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., as we celebrate the hero of the family – YOUR DAD! Indulge in all your brunch favourites!
- Sliced Certified Angus Prime Rib in Mushroom Sauce
- Smoked Ham with Dijon Cream Sauce
- Eggs Benedict
- Omelette Station
- Scrambled Eggs
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Hashbrowns
- Sourdough French Toast & Syrup
- Jumbo Shrimp & Cocktail Sauce
- Smoked Sockeye Salmon Pizza
- Grilled Pinepple
- Wild Rice Salad
- Golden Beet Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Local Cheese, Kolbassa & Pickles
- Croissant, Rolls, Flatbreads and Butter
- Sliced Fruit & Berries
- Cakes & Pastries
Tickets: Adults $49.95, 12 & under $22.95, 5 & under $9.95. Order your tickets by calling 204-885-3330.
Please note that there is no live racing on Father's Day.
Limited tickets are still available so order your tickets today!
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Gourneau Continues to Dominate in Trainer Standings
Jockeys Prayven Badrie, new apprentice Rachaad Knights, win five apiece
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Trainer Jerry Gourneau won seven races at ASD this week to take a commanding lead in the standings. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Trainer Jerry Gourneau continued to dominate in the trainer standings this week, winning seven of the 21 races from Monday through Wednesday to open a commanding lead in the trainer standings with 17 victories.
Gourneau won three races on Monday, scored a single on Tuesday, and notched a second hat trick on Wednesday to open a 9-win lead in the standings over Devon Gittens (8 wins), followed by Mike Nault (5), Tom Gardipy, Jr. (4) and Steve Keplin, Jr. (4). Gourneau is well on his way to a record fourth straight training title, which would be his sixth overall, and still has more horses coming.
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Jockey Prayven Badrie on his way to victory aboard Lt. Norm in the fifth race on Wednesday for trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Two of Gourneau’s seven winners were ridden by jockey Prayven Badrie, who recorded five wins this week to increase his lead in the standings to four over runner-up Damario Bynoe. Badrie now has 14 wins, followed by Bynoe (10), Antonio Whitehall (9), Ronald Ali (8), Renaldo Cumberbatch (6) and newcomer apprentice Rachaad Knights (6).
Knights also won five races on the week, and is improving fast in his first season at Assiniboia Downs. Knights was aboard two of the most impressive winners of the week, winning the seventh race on Monday with Brody’s Streak ($6.90) for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr., and the fifth race on Tuesday with Prairie Drifter ($12.20) for trainer Devon Gittens, neither of which were favoured.
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Jockey Prayven Badrie (inside) on his way to winning the fifth race on Monday with Deanos Cape for trainer Jerry Gourneau. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Gittens continued to build on the promise he showed early in his training career, winning yet again with a first-time starter in the fourth race on Tuesday. This time it was with Manitoba-bred No Magic ($5.60), bred by Dr. Betty Hughes and owned by Gittens and partners Frank Johnson and Stephanie Kutny. Shavon Belle was up for the win, which was the first of back-to-back winners for Gittens on Tuesday, the second being Prairie Drifter.
The secret is out on Gittens now. When he runs a first-time starter, it’s ready, and everybody knows it. Winning with a first-time starter is an uncommon skill among trainers across North America, and Gittens is only going to get better. His horses making their first start off a layoff are also better prepared than most.
| Downs all-time leading trainer Gary Danelson (left) and trainer Bruce Sanderson enjoying a sunny morning in the backstretch on Thursday. (George Williams) | |
And finally, 2023 leading percentage trainer Gary Danelson, the all-time-leading trainer at the Downs, got his first win of the season in the second race on Wednesday with Kate’s Princess. It was the first victory from six starts for the 86-year-old Danelson, who has been one of the top trainers here since he first arrived in 1959.
Kate’s Princess was making her third start of the year after being bumped at the break in her opener and breaking against the bridle in her second start. Bettors pounded Kate at the windows and she only paid $4.30 to win. They also swamped the Pick 4 pool on the same night with a whopping $152,159. Some of that money was no doubt courtesy of Kate’s Princess.
Thank you, Gary!
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Have You Ever Wanted to Own a Racehorse? | |
Magnolia Speed wins the Bobby Q Overnight Stakes for trainer Jerry Gourneau and owner Mike Powers on Monday night. Sven Balroop up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The HBPA will be hosting a free seminar on owning a racehorse tomorrow, Saturday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the Terrace Dining Room. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast, watch the horses workout on the racetrack and find out what is involved in owning a racehorse.
To register for the free seminar email the HBPA at hbpamanitoba@mymts.net. Please include the full name(s) of the attendees in the email.
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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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Jerry Gourneau's assistant trainer Madison Tirk greets jockey Prayven Badrie and Screenplay after winning the 4th race on Wednesday. (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 June. |
- Gulfstream Park (June 15) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $444,739
- Woodbine (June 14) - Super High Five Jackpot carryover $264,354
- Churchill (June 14) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $184,344
- Assiniboia Downs (June 17) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $124,844
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 Santa Anita will be the featured tracks this Saturday.
- Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the north end of the Clubhouse. Assiniboia Downs will be the featured track on Wednesdays.
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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Goldlure won the July 3, 1937 Manitoba Derby and has the distinction of being the winner of the only Derby ever run at Whittier Park. Goldlure was owned by easterner Harry Hatch, trained by J. Hamilton, and ridden by S. Young. (Winnipeg Tribune photo) | |
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Full brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mage found trouble in the Kentucky Derby
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Dornoch and jockey Luis Saez (inside) hold off Mindframe and Irad Ortiz, Jr. to win the 156th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga. (Joe Labozzetta/Coglianese photo) | |
"No one believed in this horse, but those last two races were throw-out races," said trainer Danny Gargan after winning the Belmont Stakes (G1) last Saturday at Saratoga, his first Grade 1 victory as a trainer. "I told Luis they wouldn't beat him today. I never lost faith in him. He had tremendous works up here. He's a big powerful horse. You just have to be patient and not lose focus and just grind away, and hopefully, you get lucky and win one of these.” More from the Paulick Report here. | |
Dornoch - 2024 - The Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets | |
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Free Rein episode wins in the category of Best Women’s Sports Content
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The ‘Woodbine: Free Rein’ episode explores women’s experiences in horse racing | |
Woodbine Entertainment’s documentary series Woodbine: Free Rein took top honours at the Hashtag Sports Awards in New York in the category of Best Women’s Sports Content for Episode 4 of Free Rein. Entitled The World-Class Women of Woodbine, the episode focused on the uniqueness of having men and women competing in the same sport, as well as the meaningful presence of women in racing. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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Travers Stakes (G1) looms as the next major showdown for the division
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Dornoch won the first Belmont Stakes ever run at Saratoga last Saturday. (Coglianese Photos/Walter Wlodarczyk) | |
In terms of excitement and drama, the 2024 Triple Crown season was a smashing success. It started in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when Mystik Dan (the horse with Manitoba-bred blood in him) scored an 18-1 upset, continued in the Preakness Stakes (G1) when 88-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas won with Seize the Grey for MyRacehorse's 2,570 owners, and ended with 17-1 Dornoch winning the historic 156th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1), which was run for the first time in history at Saratoga. More from the BloodHorse here. | |
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Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
There have been seven jockeys who have held the title of Downs All-Time Leading Jockey. Without peeking, how many riders can you name? Well, our faithful history guy has their stories and takes us on a journey through eight decades to retrace these historic milestones. Click here to learn more about the seven jockeys who can lay claim to the title of Downs All-Time Leading Jockey.
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Upcoming events at ASD
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Lucky Stars - Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. - more info
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Lucky Spins - Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. - more info
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Live Racing - Monday, June 17, Tuesday, June 18, Wednesday, June 19 - more info
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Draw for $500 Cash after live racing - more info
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Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, June 17 - more info
- Live Racing - Monday, June 24, Tuesday, June 24, Wednesday, June 26 - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after live racing - more info
- Live Racing - Monday, July 1 featuring live racing followed by a spectacular fireworks display by CanFire Pyrotechnics - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after live racing - more info
- Live Racing - Tuesday, July 2 & Wednesday, July 3 - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after live racing - 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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