The Inside Track | Issue #128 | April 19, 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!
- Weather Not Stopping Anyone
- Myron Fedoruk Whomps Player's Choice Field
- 2024 Condition Book #1
- 2024 Shipping Incentive Program
- Monsoons by Tim Cox
- Road to Kentucky Derby 150
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time: Alternates
- Rob Atras wins Grade 3 at Keenland
- Jason Halstead wins Sovereign Award
- Prospective Kentucky Derby Field
- Steve Haskin's Derby Rankings Week 13
- The Best of Bob - Mr. Ed
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Player's Choice Tournaments:
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
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140 VLTs are available daily in our spacious Club West Gaming Lounge from 10 a.m. through 1 a.m. Enjoy complimentary coffee or tea. We also have fantastic deals on daily drink specials, happy hour specials, daily lunch and nightly food features. Please note that our VLTs are sanitized between play.
Free daily draws take place for your chance to win cash!
April Games for Cash
Lucky Stars: Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enter for your chance to pick a lucky star for up to $100 CASH!
Lucky Spins: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enter for a chance to get $20 in free VLT spins! Keep what you win.
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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.
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Special Offer!
$10 off Live Racing Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet |  | |
To celebrate live racing, we are offering $10 off our Certified Angus Prime Rib buffet on Monday, May 20, Tuesday, May 21,
Monday, May 27 & Tuesday, May 28
Reserve your table today for our renowned Certified Angus Prime Rib buffet. Live racing and a prime rib buffet - it doesn't get much better than that!
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.
The table is yours for the entire evening and includes complimentary racing programs and tip sheets.
Adults - $54.95, Seniors (65+) - $49.95, Children 6 to 12 - $32.95, Children 5 & under - $19.95
Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330 and mention the promo code LIVE10 to receive this special offer!
Click here for our 2024 racing schedule.
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Offer is valid on the dates below only:
- Monday, May 20
- Tuesday, May 21
- Monday, May 27
- Tuesday, May 28
Cannot be combined with any other offer.
USE PROMO CODE LIVE10
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Weather Not Stopping Anyone
18 jockeys galloping through mud & snow towards opening night Monday, May 20
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Three-time ASD leading rider Antonio Whitehall galloping through the mud and snow. (George Williams) | |
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The mud and snow weren’t stopping any of the jockeys this week at ASD, and that means a lot considering there are 18 of the 110-pound strongmen in the backstretch right now.
Jockeys already here in alphabetical order are Ronald Ali, Prayven Badrie, Sven Balroop, Shavon Belle, Arthur Budhu, Damario Bynoe, Stanley Chadee, Jr., Chavion Chow, Renaldo Cumberbatch, Dario Dalrymple, Dane Dawkins, Dwight Lewis, Javaniel Patterson, Neville Stephenson, Tim Tarasenco, reigning leading rider Antonio Whitehall, and apprentices Sachin Parris and Rashad Knight.
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Jockey agent Shane Ball (left) with new apprentice Rashad Knight. (George Williams) | |
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Knight is a new arrival from Barbados who learned how to ride horses starting with a donkey, but it didn’t take him long to transition to thoroughbreds. Knight's journey began under the tutelage of top Barbados trainer John Chandler. "He taught me the majority of what I know, helped me get my exercise license, and then my race day license.”
Knight has won 26 races in Barbados and is hoping his success at home will transfer to Canada. The apprentice admits the colder Canadian climate has been an adjustment, but he likes the challenge. "It was cold this morning,” said Knight on Thursday morning. “But I like it here.”
While Barbados may be better known for its tropical beaches than its racing scene, Knight proved his talents by finishing third in both the 2022 Barbados Derby and the Midsummer Creole Classic, the second leg of the Barbados Triple Crown. Still, opportunities were limited on his native racing circuit.
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Jockeys Sven Balroop (outside) and Prayven Badrie exercising a pair of youngsters on the muddy main track Thursday morning for trainer Mike Nault. (George Williams) | |
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"That’s the big difference between here and there," said Knight, who was excited about riding for the first time in Canada when Assiniboia Downs opens on Monday, May 20. “There are so many more opportunities here. I hope to do well.”
Knight has been getting on horses for top trainers including Devon Gittens, Shelley Brown, and Jared Brown among others, thanks to a kickstart from elite agent Shane Ball and three-time leading rider Antonio Whitehall, who suggested Knight come to Assiniboia Downs.
For good reasons.
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Returning from a training session in the snow at ASD. (George Williams) | |
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Myron Fedoruk Whomps Field in Player’s Choice Tourney
Former horse owner and longtime handicapper hits 24-1 shot at Keeneland
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Beaute Cachee (24-1) wires the field in the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday to help Myron Fedoruk win the Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament. (Click image for replay) | |
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Myron Fedoruk nailed 24-1 shot Beaute Cachee in the ninth race at Keeneland along with two other Keeneland winners to claim his first ever victory in the Player’s Choice Handicapping Tournament last Saturday.
“It’s about time,” said the 77-year-old retired railway worker and veteran handicapper.
Fedoruk built his bankroll to $131.20 to finish $24.60 in front of runner-up Glen Gray ($106.60) followed by Kathleen Buckoski ($89.90), Keith MacLennan ($89.00), Ralph Gelardi ($76.60) and Larry Leibrecht ($76.60), to win the $1,000 first prize and trophy.
"Chad Brown had four horses in that race,” said Fedoruk about his longshot winner. “She was a front runner and I thought she would get the lead."
Beaute Cachee moved to a clear lead out of the first turn, turned back a challenge from a 5-1 shot late on the final turn, opened up in early stretch and held off the favourite in a long drive. "One thing about a speed horse,” said Fedoruk. “If you handicap for speed and your horse doesn’t make the lead, their chances of winning are slim.”
Speed is a major angle for Fedoruk, who also shies away from low percentage jockeys and trainers. "You have to have a good rider,” he said. "A 4-5 percent rider isn’t going to win very often. You can't keep chasing them."
Fedoruk has been attending the races since the 1960s, when he and his grandmother would take the bus to the track. Horse racing became a lifelong passion that he turned into horse ownership in the 1980s with horses that included Matt G and Debby Diane among others.
Fedoruk retired from the Canadian Pacific Railway at age 49 after a 30-year career, and has spent the last 27 years indulging his love of handicapping full-time.
"I like to watch the live races,” said Fedoruk, who prefers the summer action at Assiniboia Downs. “If I see a horse get in trouble or do something out of the ordinary, I remember it for next time.”
Fedoruk has only played in the local handicapping tournaments for the past few years. He has finished in the money before, but this was his first win. “It was big boost towards the Handicapper of the Year title,” said Fedoruk. “That's what we're going to aim for."
Target in sight.
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Download a copy of Condition Book #1 here or click on the image above. | |
"The rain reminds us that growth often comes from the storms we endure." ~ Unknown. "Monsoons" painted by Tim Cox. See more original paintings from Tim Cox here. | |
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Kentucky Derby
Join us for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4!
Special Offer: Indulge in our exclusive RazDerby Lemonade served in a classic Kentucky Derby Mint Julep glass for just $9.99! Plus, you get to take the glass home with you!
Free Programs & DRF: Free programs and DRF will be available at Assiniboia Downs and off-track locations (excluding casinos) by Thursday, May 2.
Free Draws: Draws will be made at Assiniboia Downs and off-track locations (excluding casinos) for Kentucky Derby merchandise packages.
Watch & Wager: Catch all the heart-pounding action live at Assiniboia Downs or one of our convenient off-track betting locations. Place your bets and cheer on your favorite contenders as they run for the roses!
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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
| Groom Skyla Blanchard leads Manitoba-bred Justlemmeatem (Vengeful Wildcat-Siphon Vice by Siphon) out of the winner's circle after his win in the 2023 CTHS Sales at ASD for owner/breeder Dr. Betty Hughes and trainer Devon Gittens. (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 April. | Outrider Faith Gray and her 14-year-old quarter horse Taj supervising the morning action on the main track at ASD. Gray says Taj loves his job! (George Williams) |
- Gulfstream (April 19) - Pick 6 Jackpot carryover $178,013
- Parx Racing (April 22) - Pick 5 Jackpot carryover $88,345
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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Jockeys Prayven Badrie (left) and Sven Balroop return from a training session Thursday morning on the main track at ASD. (George Williams) | |
"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group | |
Join the "I Won Bigg" wagering group in the Clubhouse this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The wagering group is open to everyone. The group will play Santa Anita and Tampa Bay this week. $20 per share. If you would like more information please email Larry. | |
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
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On September 9, 1981 jockey Irwin Driedger rode his 752nd winner at the Downs. This win aboard Alternates gave Irwin the record for most wins by a rider at Assiniboia Downs. The win was one of 214 victories for the 1981 season – another record. They say records are made to be broken – but topping 214 victories just isn’t going to happen! (Gerry Hart photo) | |
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Neat takes Transylvania Stakes (G3) at Keeneland with gutsy rail move
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Former top ASD trainer Rob Atras (far right) in the win photo at Keeneland after winning the Transylvania Stakes (G3) with Neat. | |
Former top ASD trainer Rob Atras went from never hitting the board with a runner at Keeneland to winning his first graded stakes at the Lexington oval when Neat captured the April 5, $400,000 Transylvania Stakes (G3T). Congratulations Rob! Well done! More from the Blood Horse here. See replay below. | |
A Kiss for Commando. 2023 Sovereign Award-Winning Photograph by Jason Halstead. | |
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ASD Track Photographer Jason Halstead won the 2023 Sovereign Award for Outstanding Photograph in Canadian horse racing at 49th annual Sovereign Awards celebration in Toronto on Thursday night. Congratulations Jason! Well done!
The photo featured trainer Mike Nault's groom Olive Johnston giving Commandoslastdance a kiss after her victory in the 61st running of the Buffalo Stakes for owners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds and breeders Keaton and Aiden Ziprick on Sept. 18, 2023. Chavion Chow up.
A freelance photographer and editor for the Winnipeg Free Press, Jason started taking the win pictures at Assiniboia Downs in 2016 under the tutelage of Gerry Hart and took over the position full time in 2018. Six years later, he's a big winner! And this photo was so deserving.
You can view the livestream video of the 49th annual Sovereign Awards and see all the winners here. You can also read the full program here.
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Derby post position draw takes place April 27. Top 20 points leaders as of April 15.
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Encino, a son of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and whose dam is a half-sister to a Derby winner, won the Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 13 and could contest this year's Derby. (Keeneland photo) | |
One of the horses on this list will win the world’s most famous race on May 4, 2024 at Churchill Downs. The top 20 leaders by points for the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) include the impeccably bred, very expensive purchase Sierra Leone, who could give trainer Chad Brown his first Kentucky Derby win. The stretch running colt will be aiming for fleet Florida Derby (G1) winner Fierceness in the long Derby stretch run. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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The Road to the Derby, April 15, 2024 – Week 13
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"The Derby Rankings are pretty much what they were last week with possibly a few minor changes still to come. But because we have thrown speed ratings, especially the Thoro-Graph numbers, at you all year, we have decided that this week’s post will be separate rankings based solely on those numbers." ~ Steve Haskin. Read more at Secretariat.com here. | |
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Best of Bob
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
In the first half of the 1960s, a certain TV horse by the name of Mr. Ed wouldn’t shut up, but ASD’s Mr. Ed in the second half of the 60s saved his talking for the track, where he was still wowing spectators when other horses were out to pasture. Read about that classy Mr. Ed here (From August 22, 2018)
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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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Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 4 - more info
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Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament - Saturday, May 11 - more info
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Mother's Day Brunch - Sunday, May 12 - SOLD OUT
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Live Racing - Victoria Day - Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. - 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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