The Inside Track | Issue #137 | June 21, 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?
- Win $500 Cash After Each Live Race Night
- Canada Day Live Racing & Fireworks
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Hot Apprentice Rachaad Knights Wins Five
- Darcy Penner Wins His Second Las Vegas Challenge
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time
- Gittens, Aebly, Crawford Win Big at Woodbine
- Gould's Gold, Catching Freedom Meet in Ohio Derby
- Bob's Blog
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Las Vegas Challenge Tournaments:
- 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
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, June 17 - Winner: Darcy Penner
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Assiniboia Downs Player Portal
Assiniboia Downs racing information in one convenient place!
- Free Assiniboia Downs Live Programs
- Assiniboia Downs Racing Selections
- Horse Racing Nation Power Picks
- Jockey and Trainer Statistics
- ASD Live YouTube Link and more!
Check out our Player Portal here
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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: 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!
| Canada Day Live Racing & Fireworks | |
Join us for live racing on Canada Day, Monday, July 1st.
Free family fun activities including bouncy castles, face painting and live entertainment. Family fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Live racing starts at 7:30 p.m. followed by a spectacular fireworks display by CanFire Pyrotechnics.
Admission is free. Parking is free until 8 p.m. There will be a $10 parking charge starting at 8 p.m.
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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 24 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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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Hot Apprentice Rachaad Knights Wins Five
Dickey, Gaskin, Taphorn and Browns each score doubles
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C C's Kitten gives jockey Rachaad Knights his fifth win of the week in the first race on Wednesday for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Hot apprentice Rachaad Knights continued to live up to the promise Antonio Whitehall said he had last week, and we certainly have to pay attention now.
Knights won two races on Monday, a pair on Tuesday, and another on Wednesday to bring his victory total for the season to 11-4-5 from 43 starts and vault into a tie for third in the standings with Damario Bynoe. Only former leading riders Prayven Badrie (16 wins) and Whitehall (12) are ahead of Bynoe and Knights in the standings. Bynoe is not a surprise, but Knights certainly is.
We always hear how good new jockeys are before they get here, but when the horse manure hits the fan some just can’t find their way. Knights is driving right through it, and not just on favourites, although he’s certainly getting his share of wins on the short-priced crowd. But that says something too.
You don’t get to ride favourites for no reason, and trainers are seeing something in the 26-year-old newcomer from Barbados who first learned to ride on a donkey.
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C C's Kitten gets a pat after winning the first race on Wednesday for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. Rachaad Knights up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Knights won the second race on Monday aboard Lollipop Kid ($2.90) for trainer Shelley Brown and followed up with a win in the seventh race aboard Sebadas ($3.10) for trainer Brent Hrymak. On Tuesday he scored aboard It’s a Boy ($2.10) in the second race for trainer Bruce Sanderson and won the fifth on Runtoday ($2.40) for trainer Jared Brown. On Wednesday however, he won aboard longshot C C’s Kitten ($31.60) for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr.
The season started off a little slow for Knights, but it has certainly picked up now and he’s winning at a strong 26% clip. He’s learning quickly from any minor mistakes, improving with every new mount and gaining confidence fast. Live horses will do that for you.
Knights arrived here with 26 wins after eight years of riding in Barbados and you have to wonder how his level of talent wasn’t evident in all those years, but Whitehall certainly noticed it and we’re glad to have Knights here on the recommendation of that three-time leading rider.
Knights wasn’t getting opportunities to ride good horses at home, and he’s happy to be getting all kinds of them now. When you get hot in the jockey business, you have to rock n’ roll with it quickly, and Knights is doing just that.
The only thing Knights has really had to adjust to since he arrived this spring is the weather, but that’s heating up along with him now, and his band is playing loud and clear, all the way to the winner’s circle.
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Javaniel Patterson and I Am Mila (#4 yellow) on their way to winning the 6th race on Wednesday for trainer Jennifer Jordan. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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On the trainer side, the leaders on the week were all twofers. Elton Dickey started the week off hot with two wins on Monday, Jared Brown, Mike Taphorn and Steve Gaskin each won a pair on Tuesday, although one of Gaskin’s wins came via a DQ, and Shelley Brown scored singles on both Monday and Wednesday.
Trainer Jerry Gourneau continued to lead all trainers in the standings, winning a single on Monday to bring his meet-leading total to 18, followed by Devon Gittens (9), Mike Nault (6), Tom Gardipy, Jr. (5) and Mike Taphorn (5). And one thing continued to ring true at ASD in 2024.
You not only need a good horse to win, you also need a good jockey and trainer.
| Groom Kate Morris smiles with My Noah after winning the 4th race on Tuesday for trainer Mike Taphorn. Ronald Ali up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Darcy Penner Wins Las Vegas Challenge For Second Time
Two winners just enough to edge Wayne Misko and James McMullin
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Darcy Penner won the Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament for the second time on Monday. Well done Darcy! | |
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Darcy Penner won Monday’s Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament for the second time on Monday, and he defeated the same sharp handicapper he beat the last time he won, Wayne Misko, this time by $1.10.
That win was worth $3,500 for the 58-year-old St. Vital resident, who built his bankroll to $67.70 to defeat Misko ($66.60) and James McMullin ($63.30) for all the cash.
“I think the last time I won was in July 2020,” said Penner. “The only difference was that there were less mosquitoes. The beaches were non-existent because of the water situation, but we still had a good time. I guess if you're going to win, these (summer) tournaments are the ones to win. We have some summer plans cooking and this will help.”
Penner only had two winners on the card, but Gold Special ($20.80) in the fourth race and Mechanic Susie ($12.30) in the fifth were nice overlays.
“I noticed about seven other people who had Gold Special,” said Penner. “But he was the only horse cutting back from two turns. And Lise Pruitt is really good second off the layoff too. So there was enough to justify playing him, and I thought this was the time to act because I didn’t see any other bombers in the last three races. I didn’t necessarily think Gold Special could win the race, but the price was right.”
Penner had a target of $84 to win the contest and looked for horses that could help him get there. His two winners and a mix of places and shows did the trick. “Normally you would need at least three winners,” said Penner. “But place and show are important too in the smaller fields.”
Penner has been playing horses at the Downs since he was 18. He enters both the winter and summer tournaments, and while he finds the summer ones tougher to win, they’re also more lucrative. Penner learned to handicap through a combination of practical experience and reading books like the classic Betting Thoroughbreds by Steven Davidowitz, and he’s always looking for angles that others aren’t playing.
“I develop my own angles,” said Penner. “I try to find things that other people aren't using. I have three or four favourite angles, along with some that are standard, like second off the layoff for Pruitt. I don't typically look at Beyer Speed Figures or anything like that, because, especially in contests, everyone is using them. You have to find a different way to get to the same point.
“The tournaments are definitely a lot of fun. And it sure makes it easier when you get the programs in your inbox every day. Thanks to Sheri (Glendinning) for that, I think it results in more people playing. She does a good job there. If it’s better for the players she’s on it.”
Thanks Darcy! And congratulations!
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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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Brittany Bergen leads Diane's Wish into the winner's circle after winning the 4th race on Wednesday for trainer Mike Nault. Prayven Badrie up. (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 21) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $493,307. Mandatory payout on Saturday, June 22.
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Woodbine (June 23) - Super Hi-5 Jackpot carryover $347,853. Mandatory payout on Sunday, June 23.
- Churchill (June 21) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $227,960
- Assiniboia Downs (June 24) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $153,902
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. Gulfstream, Woodbine and Churchill 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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This may well be the best photo of Whittier Park you’ll ever see. The racetrack was bordered on the north and east by the Red River, the CNR main line embankment in the south and Rue St. Joseph in the west. (Simms family photo) | |
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Former ASD stars Juan Crawford, Fraser Aebly winning big in Toronto
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Devon Gittens saddled his first winner at Woodbine last week, at 72-1. (George Williams) | |
After 36 races over four days at Woodbine, the longshot trend continues, and current and former ASD stars are right in the thick of things. The average win payoff at Woodbine was in the $15 range, a bit lower if you remove the most perplexing result of the week – This Katz For Real, who zoomed his way to his maiden win on Friday at 72-to-1 under Juan Crawford for trainer Devon Gittens and owner Bruno Schickedanz. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
Catching Freedom. (Lou Hodges, Jr. /Hodges Photography) | |
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Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
When was the quinella wager first offered in Winnipeg and what were some of the record payouts over the years. This week your favourite track historian has it all, from the early days at Polo Park racetrack through eight decades of history right here at Assiniboia Downs. Click here to learn more about what was once one of the more popular wagers offered at racetracks.
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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
- Live Racing - Monday, June 24, Tuesday, June 25, Wednesday, June 26 - more info
- Live Racing - Monday, July 1 featuring live racing followed by a spectacular fireworks display by CanFire Pyrotechnics - more info
- Free Family Fun Activities - Monday, July 1 - more info
- Live Racing - Tuesday, July 2 & Wednesday, July 3 - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after each live race night in the VLT Lounge - 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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