The Inside Track | Issue #146 | August 23, 2024 | |
|
ASD Hours
- Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- VLT machines are sanitized between use
| |
|
Revised 2024 Live Race Dates
-
Live Racing every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday through to Tuesday, September 24 - click here for schedule
| |
|
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
- Win $500 Cash After Each Live Race Night
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Mechanic Susie Wins Again, Yearling Sale Results
- Manitoba Night Market & Festival
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time: Rushton's Corsair
- Casse Holds Strong Hand in King's Plate
- August Rain, Rebellious Head Canadian Derby
- Thorpedo Anna Attempts to Make History in Travers
- Bob's Blog: Celebrating trainer Gary Danelson
- Upcoming Events
| |
|
Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Las Vegas Challenge Tournaments:
- 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
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 12 - Winner: Ken Porter
| |
Assiniboia Downs Player Portal
Assiniboia Downs racing information in one convenient place!
Check out our Player Portal here
| |
Free Family Fun Every Monday
Join us for free family fun activities every Monday through to Labour Day, Monday, September 2.
- Bouncy castles
- Face painting
- Live entertainment
- The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
| |
|
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
-
Spacious Area: Our gaming lounge provides ample room for you to relax and enjoy your gaming experience comfortably.
-
Sanitization: VLT machines are sanitized between use.
-
Great Customer Service: Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing top-notch service, ensuring your visit is enjoyable from start to finish.
-
Licensed Lounge: Sip on your favourite drinks from our licensed lounge while you play.
-
Food & Drink: Indulge in delicious food and drinks available right in the gaming lounge.
| |
Draws for $500 in the VLT Lounge every Race Night!
Every race night a draw for $500 Cash will be made in the VLT lounge at 11:30 p.m. during Crazy Hour!
Daily Draws for Cash
-
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.
-
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!
|  | |
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, August 26 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
-
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
-
Winning ticket numbers are posted at 5050.ASDowns.com
- Manitoba Jockey Club LGCA-5630-RF-44247
| |
There's Always a Deal at ASD! | |
|
$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!
| |
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 for the remainder of the season.
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
| |
At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
|
Manitoba-bred Mechanic Susie Makes it Five in a Row in Distaff
Half-sister to Escape Clause tops Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale at $33,000
| Manitoba-bred Mechanic Susie wins the $40,000 Distaff Stakes Tuesday evening for trainer Elton Dickey and ownership partners Tom Payne and breeder Larry Falloon. Antonio Whitehall up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
Manitoba-bred Mechanic Susie made in five wins in a row with her victory in the $40,000 Distaff Stakes on Tuesday, jockey Sachin Parris won his first race in North America on Wednesday, and the Big 3 in the CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale did what they were supposed to do on Thursday -- sell for top dollar. It was a good week for the Manitoba thoroughbred industry.
Only 11 (39%) of the 28 yearlings that went through the sales ring on Thursday sold, compared to 42% being sold in 2023, and total receipts were down slightly from $183,500 in 2023 to $174,000 in 2024, but the average sale price was way up from the year before from $11,469 to $15,818.
Hip #24, Bring the Bourbon, a half-sister to 2018 Canadian Champion mare Escape Clause by Speculating-Danger Pay by Circulating, was the sales topper as expected, as breeder and consignor Cam Ziprick bought her for himself and a few partners for $33,000. Interestingly, Escape Clause’s first foal by Japanese Derby winner Duramante, who sold for almost $1 million, won the first race of his career on Sunday in Japan going 2,600 metres (1.6 Miles) at odds of 7/2.
| |
Hip #24, Bring the Bourbon, a bay filly by Speculating-Danger Pay by Circulating and a half-sister to champion Escape Clause, was the sales topper at the CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale on Thursday, selling for $33,000. (George Williams) | |
Hip #2, an unnamed colt by US Champion Sprinter Mitole out of the mare Piccadilly line by Air Force Blue, wasn’t far behind the sales topper at $32,000. Purchased by Anne Champion, who will partner with consignor and breeder Larry Falloon, Champion was determined to get her horse. It was nice to see the longtime owner take her favourite home. | |
Longtime owner Anne Champion (seated) got the horse she wanted at Thursday's yearling sale, purchasing Hip #2, an unnamed gray gelding by Mitole-Piccadilly Line by Air Force Blue, for herself and her partners for $32,000. Shown here with breeder Larry Falloon and Cindy Lukianchuk. Good luck Anne! (George Williams) | |
|
The third highest-priced yearling of the sale was Hip #26, Spec of Gold. A half-brother to local champions Hidden Grace and Melisandre, the bay gelding by Speculating-High Pioneer by Pioneering was part of the Ziprick Thoroughbreds consignment and sold for $27,500 to A2 Thoroughbreds, who will partner with True North Thoroughbreds on the grand looking gelding.
A2 Thoroughbreds was the leading buyer at the sale with three purchases for a total of $50,500. They also purchased Hip #29, a half-brother to Speed to Spare Championship runner up Itsmyday, a chestnut gelding by Fed Biz-Magic Vixen by Tapit, from Watson Bay Stables for $12,000. The final purchase for A2 Thoroughbreds was Hip #30, a bay filly from a solid stakes-winning family, by Speculating-Marianda by Going Commando, for $11,000.
| |
A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds with their Hip #26, Spec of Gold, a half-sister to champions Hidden Grace and Melisandre by Speculating-High Pioneer by Pioneering. L to R: Jean Marc Roy, Grant Sissons, Pat Beavis, Art Roy and wife Amanda, Phil Allard, Nolan Allard, and Sherisse Ziprick of Ziprick Thoroughbreds holding the horse. (George Williams) | |
|
Many breeders opted to buy their horses back if they didn’t get their price, and with the Manitoba-bred stakes, bonuses and purse incentives, some of them will have made the right decision.
Breeder Larry Falloon hit the double jackpot this week at ASD. Not only did he sell the second highest-priced yearling at the sale in Hip #2, but another horse he bred and owns in partnership with Tom Payne and trainer Elton Dickey, won her fifth race in a row.
| |
L to R: Ownership partners Tom Payne, breeder Larry Falloon, and trainer Elton Dickey in the winner's circle after their victory in the Distaff Stakes Tuesday evening with Mechanic Susie. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
|
Mechanic Susie made it five straight in the 29th running of the Distaff Stakes for ownership partners Tom Payne, Larry Falloon and Elton Dickey. The latter also trains the 4-year-old Manitoba-bred filly by Nonios-Quantum Mechanics by Einstein.
A $1,000 purchase in the 2021 CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale, Mechanic Susie has now earned over $135,000 from a record of 7-3-3 in 14 starts, including an earlier stakes win in last year’s Hazel Wright Sire Stakes.
When horses are good they’re good, and Mechanic Susie is in the best form of her life right now. Kudos to trainer Elton Dickey for doing such a stellar job with this filly.
| |
Jockey Antonio Whitehall and Mechanic Susie have teamed up for five wins in a row. Shown here after winning the Distaff Stakes Tuesday evening at ASD. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
|
And the final highlight of the week goes to jockey Sachin Parris, who scored his first ever victory in North America when he came flying home from last to first aboard Press On Bay ($35.80) to win the second race on Wednesday night for trainer Lee Delaronde. It was the first win in 40 starts for Parris, who hails from Barbados, and it brought out the big smiles.
Congratulations Sachin! Well done!
| |
Jockey Sachin Parris gets a high-five from trainer Lee Delaronde after winning his first-ever race in North America aboard longshot Press on Baby on Wednesday. Well done Sachin! (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
|
Join us for the last Manitoba Night Market & Festival of the season this Sunday, August 25 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- 20 food trucks
- 140 local vendors & artisans
- Live music
- Kid's entertainment
- Tattoo pop up
- Wrestling. Two action packed shows. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Admission is $7 (5 & under free). Event parking $5. Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance here.
| |
|
Looking for a Special Photo of Your Big Horse or...?
Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for
| |
Groom Kenroy "Cuba" Rowe signals five wins in a row for Mechanic Susie with an extra-big horse-style smile. (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 August. |
- Fort Erie (August 26) - Jackpot Hi-5 carryover $91,405
- Assiniboia Downs (August 26) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $78,670
- Woodbine (August 23) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $78,530. Mandatory payout Friday, August 23.
- Woodbine (August 23) - Jackpot Hi-5 carryover $27,213. Mandatory payout Friday, August 23.
See all carryovers here.
| |
|
Can't make it to the track to wager?
Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:
| |
"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group | |
|
The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be meeting on the following weekly schedule:
- Special "I Won Bigg" session today, Friday, August 23. Woodbine will be the featured track with the rescheduled King's Plate.
- Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. on the plaza. Woodbine and Del Mar 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.
| |
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
| |
On July 14,1974 Rushton’s Corsair narrowly edged 11 rivals to win the 26th Running of the Manitoba Derby. Headlines in the Winnipeg Free Press read "Rushton’s Corsair Wins Western-Bred Duel" and owner A.W. Minshall, trainer G. Magnusson and rider W. Green couldn’t have been happier. It’s hard to believe that was 50 years ago! (Gerry Hart Photo) | |
|
Showdown looms between champion My Boy Prince and upstart Essex Serpent
| |
My Boy Prince was the 5-2 favourite in early betting for the $1 million King's Plate before the card was canceled last Saturday. (Michael Burns Photo) | Trainer Mark Casse looks to have a foothold on Friday’s $1 million King’s Plate at Woodbine when he sends out My Boy Prince, Essex Serpent, and Midnight Mascot in the 165th running of North America’s oldest annual stakes. The 1 1/4-mile Tapeta event for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds could be a showdown between reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old male My Boy Prince and upstart Essex Serpent. More from the Daily Racing Form here. | |
|
Four horses exiting Manitoba Derby vying for share of $200,000 purse on Saturday
| |
The top three finishers from the Chris Loseth Handicap on July 6 - August Rain (inside), Diocles and Westminster (green cap) meet again in the Canadian Derby August 24. (Hastings photo) | |
|
Saturday’s Canadian Derby card at Century Mile has six stakes including the $200,000 Derby itself, and it almost appears as if Vancouver trainer Barbara Heads has sent her entire barn to Alberta for the weekend. Heads will saddle August Rain in the Canadian Derby, and calls him "a cool little horse." He was also the top 2-year-old in BC last year. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here.
Also of note to local fans: Four horses that were in our Manitoba Derby are running in the Canadian Derby: Awesome Road (3-1), Roussette (10-1), McEwen (20-1) and Itsallgoodman (15-1). Might be a longshot play there! See all the entries for the Canadian Derby here.
| |
|
Fast filly faces seven tough rivals. Seeks to become first filly to win it since 1915.
| The filly Thorpedo Anna, shown winning the Coaching Club American Oaks July 20, is Ellis Starr’s pick to win the 155th running of the Travers Stakes Aug. 24 at Saratoga. (Susie Raisher/NYRA) | The $1.25 million, DraftKings Travers Stakes (G1) Saturday at Saratoga drew an exceptionally strong field of eight including Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) winner Fierceness, Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch and Thorpedo Anna, who is coming off a win in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and who will attempt to become the first filly to win the “Mid-Summer Derby” since 1915. Picks and analysis from America's Best Racing here. | |
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Our weekly trip down memory lane celebrates a couple of important dates for Downs all-time leading trainer Gary Danelson. August is a special month; Gary has a birthday coming up and an anniversary of his first ever win at the Downs. This week’s story also includes thoughts from some of the people who know Gary best. Click here to see who Bob spoke with as well as his take on Gary’s plans for the future.
| |
|
Upcoming events at ASD
-
Lucky Stars - Daily draws for cash at various times throughout the day - more info
-
Lucky Spins - Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. - more info
- Live Racing every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. - 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
- Free Family Fun - Monday, August 26 & Monday, September 2 - more info
- Summer of Sound - Friday, August 30 - more info
- Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, September 2 - more info
| |
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. | |
| | | |
