Attack Wins 77th Manitoba Derby, Monster Pick 4 Payoff Tuesday, Girls Night Out Rocks Wednesday!

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ISSUE #196 - AUGUST 8, 2025

Live Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet. Every live race night!

Live Racing this Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Live racing continues every Tuesday and Wednesday evening, along with select Mondays: August 25, and September 15. Post time is 7:30 p.m.—and as always, admission and parking are free!

Free Family Fun activities every Tuesday in August. Free kids activities include face painting, bouncy castles and live entertainment. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate dining experience at the track with our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet. Savour melt-in-your-mouth Certified Angus Prime Rib carved to perfection, plus a delicious variety of chicken and seafood dishes, rotating entrée selections, and so much more! Adults: $59.95, Seniors (65+): $54.95, Kids (6–12): $34.95, Kids (5 & under): $22.95.

Reservations are filling up for the season so call 204-885-3330 today to reserve your table!

CLICK HERE for schedule

Manitoba Derby winner Attack (checkered blinkers) and jockey N'Rico Prescod early in the race. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

Attack Wins 77th Manitoba Derby, Monster Pick 4 Payoff Tuesday, Welcometohollywood Romps in Oaks, Girls Night Out Rocks Wednesday!

The 77^th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby resulted in record-breaking wagering, trainer Victoria Morse and Captive Kitten once again capped off a monster Pick 4, Welcometohollywood romped in the Manitoba Oaks, and Girls Night Out at the Downs was a fabulous success, capping off the best week of racing so far this summer!

CLICK HERE to read more.

Girls Night Out - Wednesdays in August.

Girls Night Out! Wednesdays in August

Grab your girlfriends and join us at the Downs for an evening of fun, food, and fabulous prizes—just for the girls!

Fancy Hat Draw - Wear your best Derby hat and enter to win $150 cash! Draw after Race 6.
Girls-Only Special $100 Draws - Enter to win - draws after Races 4, 5 & 6.
$5 Food & Drink Specials (available on the main and 3rd floor) – Fireball Shot, Peach Tart Shot, 6 oz House Wine, Razderby Lemonade, Chicken Fingers Snack, Popcorn, Double Scoop of Ice Cream.
$5 Espresso Martini Shooter – Includes a ballot to win a $300 Thermea Spa Gift Card. Sponsored by Corby Spirit & Wine.

Judo (#3) and jockey Sven Balroop between horses on their way to victory in the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile Stakes on Manitoba Derby Day for trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. and owner James Parisien. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo). Click photo to enlarge.

Looking for a Special Photo?

Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for

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 😊

Click photo to enlarge

A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates

On May 22, 1978 a young trainer by the name of Tom Dodds won the Gateway with "Sunny" in track record time of 1:09.3 not 1:09.2 as the photo shows. Tommy Dodds would go on to win five Downs leading trainer titles (1988, 89, 90, 92 and 93) almost in consecutive years, only missing 1991 when "Shorty" Gray won the title. (Gerry Hart photo).

Integration has been listed at 8/5 for Saturday's Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, where he'll face Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. (Susie Raisher / NYRA)

Noel’s Weekend Winners: Grass is Greener Strategy Saturday at Colonial Downs, Saratoga

Top turf horses take center stage this Saturday as many of the country’s best older grass runners take to the track within 10 minutes of each other in either the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga or the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. Handicapper Noel Michaels takes a closer look.

-- America's Best Racing

CLICK FOR FULL STORY

J. Keeler Johnson has reasons to believe Mystik Dan can upset in Saturday's Arlington Million.

Can Manitoba-Connected Mystik Dan Upset in the Arlington Million?

Despite its prestige and lengthy history, the Arlington Million has never been won by a Kentucky Derby champion. Even though both races take place over 1 1/4-miles, the fact the Derby is a dirt race and the Arlington Million a turf test discourages Derby winners from giving the Million a try. Could Mystik Dan (9-2) complete the elusive double this Saturday?

Fun Fact: Mystik Dan is by Goldencents, who is out of the Manitoba-bred mare Golden Works.

-- BloodHorse

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Sedburys Ghost and jockey Ryan Munger won the Plate Trial. Seven Trial winners have come back to win the Plate since 1989. (horse-races.net photo)

Crunch Time for King’s Plate: Contenders Sharp and Ready

August 16th is approaching quickly and the final workouts for the King's Plate contenders are, well, in the works!

One of two entrants in the 166th Plate for Al and Bill Ulwelling, Mansetti continues to impress with his power moves for trainer Kevin Attard. Attard has won Plates with Moira and Caitlinhergrtness recently, and he's trying a different approach with Mansetti. Jennifer Morrison takes a look at the top 12 contenders.

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

CLICK FOR FULL STORY

Bob's Blog

A Decade of Halstead Racing Memories

Our own, Sovereign-winning photographer, Jason Halstead is in his tenth year with Assiniboia Downs. Historian Bob searched through Jason’s body of work from 2016 to 2025 and came up with some of his favourites. Click here for Bob’s choices of those "Not-So-Typical" horse racing photos from Jason’s ten years with the Downs!

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