The Inside Track | Issue #141 | July 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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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!
- Favourites and Longshots Split Stakes Riches
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time
- Haskell Stakes Cheat Sheet
- Wilson Eclipses Krone's Earnings Record
- Jockey Christopher Husbands Recovering
- Bob's Blog
- 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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Winnipeg Goldeyes Night at the Races
Monday, July 22
Join us for Winnipeg Goldeyes Night at the races. Meet some of your favourite Goldeyes players plus Goldie the Mascot. Enter to win a Goldeyes jersey plus games, giveaways & more! The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
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HPI Promotion - Manitoba Derby VIP
You could be a Manitoba Derby VIP! Earn an entry for every $50 spent on ASD each race night in July. Five draws will be made on Friday, July 26 for the following:
- $500 HPI deposit for Manitoba Derby Night.
- An invitation for two to the Manitoba Derby Press Conference which includes complimentary lunch and beverages.
- Reserved seating for two on Manitoba Derby Night at the Manitoba Derby VIP table which includes a complimentary Prime Rib buffet.
See complete details at HPIbet.com.
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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 22 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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Favourites and Longshots Split Stakes Riches
Lee Delaronde wins Jack Hardy Stakes, moves to lead in trainer standings
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Jockey Antonio Whitehall was all smiles after winning the $50,000 Derby Trial Monday night aboard Mr Fillip. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Two heavy favourites and two longshots divvied up the winnings in four stakes this week, and all four winning performances were exciting to watch.
Early Manitoba Derby favourite Mr Fillip proved without a doubt that he is not a one-dimensional speed horse on Monday night as he rated just off the pace in the 30th running of the $50,000 Derby Trial under jockey Antonio Whitehall, challenged into the final turn, dueled into the stretch, and galloped away to win by six lengths.
Shipped to Canada by trainer Robertino Diodoro from Prairie Meadows after a 13 ¼-length win in the six-furlong $50,000 Golden Circle Stakes there in May, Mr Fillip finished third in the Western Handicap at Century Mile before arriving in the barn of trainer Rick Wise at Assiniboia Downs and easily winning the Golden Boy Stakes.
Owned by Norman Tremblay, who was part of the Diodoro ownership team that won the Manitoba Derby here in 2018 with Sky Promise, and Randy Howg, who won the 2016 Manitoba Derby with Inside Straight, Mr Fillip will be the favourite for the Derby among the horses currently stabled at Assiniboia Downs, and his connections certainly know how to win Manitoba’s most prestigious race.
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Midnight Lady rolls to victory in the $50,000 Jack Hardy Stakes on Monday night. Prayven Badrie up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Midnight Lady won the next race on the card on Monday night, the 31st running of the $50,000 Jack Hardy Stakes, and upset favourites She’s My Niece and Zorina in the process. That pair had been battling it out to the wire in the previous two stakes, and they did the same thing again in the Jack Hardy. Zorina rallied to catch She’s My Niece just before the wire, but Midnight Lady nailed them both late with a strong rally at 6-1 under jockey Prayven Badrie.
Owned by Henry S. Witt, Jr. Midnight Lady helped trainer Lee Delaronde move to the lead in the standings among active trainers. Delaronde now has 14 wins since taking over from trainer Jerry Gourneau, two more than Devon Gittens (12), followed by Mike Nault (11), Jared Brown (9) and Elton Dickey (9).
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Leading trainer Lee Delaronde walks to the winner's circle after winning the Jack Hardy Stakes with longshot Midnight Lady on Monday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Nault was in great form on Tuesday night, winning the $50,000 R. J. Speers Memorial with 12-1 longshot Blazing Bo for A2 Thoroughbreds. Covered up inside near the back for most of the race, Blazing Bo moved outside in late turn and came with a strong wide rally under Prayven Badrie to win the 65th running of the Speers by 1 ½-lengths over favourite Exacting.
It was only a matter of time before the steadily improving Blazing Bo broke through in the stakes ranks, and it was smart management that got the 4-year-old into the winner’s circle for the fifth time. Kudos to his trainer and owners.
| Blazing Bo (#6) and jockey Prayven Badrie came from well back to win the $50,000 R. J. Speers Stakes on Tuesday evening. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Also on Tuesday, 4-year-old filly Spitten Kitten continued to build on the excellent form she displayed last year here, zipping right to the front in the 47th running of the $50,000 Canada Stakes under jockey Renaldo Cumberbatch, opening up eight lengths on the final turn and coasting home to win by 4 ½-lengths for trainer Marvin Buffalo and his ownership partners, wife Deb and Arnold Souster.
Another who benefitted from a smart management plan, Spitten Kitten was given time off last year after winning three stakes in a row, came back to the races in April at Tampa Bay and finished fourth, and tuned up for her first of her two stakes wins here this year with a fourth-place finish in an allowance race.
Marvin Buffalo has done a fantastic job with Spitten Kitten, and the emotional hug between him and his wife after the race showed just how much this filly means to them. That’s what this game is really all about at its best...
Love.
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Spitten Kitten on her way to winning the Canada Stakes on Tuesday night. Renaldo Cumberbatch up.
(Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
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Manitoba Night Market & Festival
This Sunday, July 21 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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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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Trainer Marvin Buffalo and wife Deb hug each other after winning the $50,000 Canada Stakes on Tuesday evening with Spitten Kitten. (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 22) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $357,500. Mandatory payout Monday, August 5 (if not won prior to).
- Woodbine Harness (July 19) - Jackpot Hi-5 carryover $316,195. Mandatory payout Saturday, July 20.
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Gulfstream (July 19) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $118,975. Mandatory payout Sunday, July 21.
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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Mays Relic, July 1, 1967, Speers Memorial Handicap. | |
This past July 16th the R. J. Speers Memorial celebrated its 65th running. To mark the occasion, we remember the 1967 Speers champion, Mays Relic. (Bob Barnes Photo) | |
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Perfect Lady Bee and Wilson were reaching for destiny. Together, they caught it.
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Canadian jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson is now the leading female jockey in the world by purse earnings. (Woodbine Entertainment) | |
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Top Canadian jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson made history in the fifth race at Woodbine July 11, breaking Hall of Famer Julie Krone's all-time purse earnings record for a female jockey, and you couldn't have scripted it any better.
Riding 3-year-old filly Perfect Lady Bee for Canada's most accomplished trainer, Canadian and United States Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, and Canadian Hall of Fame owner-breeder Charles Fipke, Wilson asked her first-time starter for more in early stretch and Perfect Lady Bee's legs surged upwards and forwards, straining for more, as if she were reaching for destiny. She was.
And together, they caught it.
More from George Williams at the BloodHorse here.
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Two-time ASD riding champion and leading Fort Erie jockey badly injured during training incident at Woodbine, long recovery expected.
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Jockey Christopher Husbands won the title at Assiniboia Downs in 2014 and 2016. Shown here after winning a race at ASD in 2016. (George Williams) | |
“That’s the first thing I asked – when can I ride again?” Sitting up and smiling from his hospital bed at Sunnybrook, jockey Christopher Husbands was in remarkably good spirits after being badly injured in a training incident last week at Woodbine Racetrack. On July 9, the seasoned jockey was coming off Woodbine’s main track when his horse reared and flipped over on him. More from Haley Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Our history guy has come up with a little something different this week. In the 1960s a couple out of Calgary put together a book that contained a complete statistical record of racing on the Prairies - the "Western Thoroughbred." Click here to learn more about this publication and its take on everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about Thoroughbred horse racing in Western Canada, including many juicy racing tidbits.
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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
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Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, July 21 - more info
- Live Racing - Monday, July 22 & Tuesday, July 23 - more info
- Free Family Fun Activities - Monday, July 22 - 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
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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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