The Inside Track | Issue #138 | June 28, 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!
- Stellar Stakes Performances Highlight Week
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot In Time
- Stephen Foster Stakes Cheat Sheet
- Emma-Jayne Wilson Closes in on Record
- 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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HPI Promotion
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: 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, July 1 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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Stellar Stakes Performances Highlight Week
Wagering back to normal, two jockeys and a trainer score hat tricks
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Mr. Stang (#9) gets up just in time to win the Free Press Stakes on Wednesday evening over Brody's Streak. Ronald Ali up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Four excellent stakes performances highlighted the week at ASD, wagering numbers returned to normal after a scratchy previous week, and two jockeys and one trainer scored hat tricks.
Class was the dominant factor in the 48th running of the $50,000 Golden Boy Stakes for 3-year-olds on Monday as Alberta shipper Mr Fillip ($2.10) easily turned back the inside speed early, opened up and drew off to win by 8 ½-lengths under jockey Antonio Whitehall.
Trained by Rick Wise for Charles Garvey, the 3-year-old Mitole colt was coming off a third-place finish in the $50,000 Western Canada Handicap at Century Mile, but previous to that he’d won the $50,000 Golden Circle Stakes at Prairie Meadows by 13 ¼-lengths and finished fourth in the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. No word on whether he’s heading for the Manitoba Derby yet, but he certainly looks like a good one.
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Trainer Rick Wise in the winner's circle with Mr Fillip after winning the Golden Boy Stakes on Monday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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On the same Monday card, She’s My Niece ($8.00) got the better of arch rival Zorina in the 44th running of the $50,000 Chantilly Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, opening up early under jockey Damario Bynoe and holding safe to the wire to win by 1 ½-lengths over Zorina. Trained by Jared Brown for Kane Kachur and Sharyn Houle, the daughter of Hard Spun evened the score with Zorina with her Chantilly victory.
She’s My Niece and Zorina had made history in their previous meeting when they dead-heated for the win in the Slinkylady Overnight Stakes. There hadn’t been a dead-heat for the win in a stakes race here since 1963. In their first meeting of the season, Zorina defeated She’s My Niece by 1 ¾-lengths in a $15,000 condition allowance.
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Jockey Damario Bynoe gets a high five from groom Susan Crane after winning the Chantilly Stakes on Monday for trainer Jared Brown. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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On Tuesday evening Spitten Kitten ($5.00) found her best form again in the 40th running of the $50,000 La Verendrye Stakes to hold off fast-closing longshot Stormieis Blue by 1 ¼-lengths under jockey Renaldo Cumberbatch. Trained by Marvin Buffalo for himself, his wife Deb, and ownership partner Arnold Souster, Spitten Kitten was making her second start here this year after one race at Tampa Bay Downs in April.
Last year Spitten Kitten won all three of her starts at ASD including the One and Only Overnight Stakes, the Chantilly Stakes, and the Jack Hardy Stakes, before being given an extended holiday. The rest obviously did her good, as multiple stakes winner and champion Melisandre took a good run at her in the stretch drive in the La Verendrye but couldn’t make a dent.
| Spitten Kitten returned to her best form with a wire-to-wire victory in the La Verendrye Stakes Tuesday evening. Renaldo Cumberbatch up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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On Wednesday evening fans were treated to one of the best fields of sprinters we’ve seen here in some time in the 64th running of the $50,000 Free Press Stakes, and new trainer Carlos Moreno got the gold for his wife Maria with Mr. Stang, winning a tight photo over Brody’s Streak.
Ridden by Ronald Ali, Mr. Stang ($13.60) stalked lone speeder Chicago’s Gray from the outside, while Brody’s Streak did the same from the inside. Both horses fired down the lane and caught Chicago’s Gray in deep stretch, with Brody’s Streak getting his head in front for a split second before being nipped at the wire.
Moreno has proven to be an exceptional trainer since arriving from Turf Paradise this spring, winning with four of his 10 starters and finishing in the top two nine times.
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Happy couple! Trainer Carlos Moreno and wife Maria Isabel after winning the Free Press Stakes on Wednesday evening with Mr. Stang. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
Jockeys Damario Bynoe and Renaldo Cumberbatch each scored hat tricks on the week, as did trainer Elton Dickey. Fans wagered over $1.15 million on both Monday and Tuesday, and turned it up another notch for Wednesday’s strong card, putting $1.53 million down on the card, in what was a beautiful week of summer evening racing. | |
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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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Deb Buffalo leads Spitten Kitten into the winner's circle after her victory in the La Verendrye Stakes Tuesday evening. (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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Churchill (June 28) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $284,891. Mandatory payout on Sunday, June 30.
- Assiniboia Downs (July 1) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $219,577
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 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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Pictured here is Jelsweep after winning the final race of the day at Whittier Park on June 14, 1940. Jelsweep was owned by J. D. Howell, trained by George Howell’s brother Harry, and ridden by S. Harris. Notice the CNR embankment in the background. (George Howell Family Photo) | |
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First "Win and You're In" stakes for Breeders' Cup Classic goes Saturday
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First Mission has been made the 6/5 morning-line favourite for this Saturday's $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs. (Coady Media) | |
The 2024 summer racing season kicks into high gear Saturday at Churchill Downs with the 43rd running of the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1). The 1 1/8-mile race is the first stakes in North America this year that is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series qualifier for the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Meet the field at America's Best Racing here. | |
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Canadian jockey closing in on Hall of Famer Julie Krone’s purse earnings record
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Emma-Jayne Wilson winning the 2007 Queen's Plate with Mike Fox. (Michael Burns Photo) | |
Canadian jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, who recorded a historic triumph in the 2007 King’s Plate aboard Mike Fox, is on the cusp of eclipsing Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone for all-time purse earnings by a female rider. Krone, who retired in 2004, holds the mark of $90,126,584 (US), with Wilson close behind at $89,920,723 (US) as of June 24. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
A couple of weeks ago Bob shared the history of the Downs All-Time Leading Jockeys. This time around he looks at trainers who have worn the All-Time Leading Trainer crown. It might surprise you that only a handful of conditioners held these bragging rights, with milestone events taking place in 1966, 1978, 1983, and 2001. How many can you name? Click here to learn more about the history of the men who won more races at the Downs than any of their colleagues.
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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, 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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Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, July 21 - 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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