ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
The Inside Track | Issue #94 | September 1, 2023
  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
  • VLTs, Race Carrels and Tables are sanitized between customer use.
In this edition . . .
  • What's happening at the Downs?
  • ASD Player Portal
  • Chase the Ace at ASD
  • Las Vegas Challenge Tournament
  • Dining at ASD
  • Chef's Special
  • Big Horses Return to Best Form
  • TravyFootball Season Preview
  • Looking For a Special Photo?
  • Food Truck Battles
  • Snapshot in Time - Baladi
  • Carryover Watch
  • Dark Horse Bets Download
  • Abeliefinthislivin wins Canadian Derby
  • Jockey Club Gold Cup Cheat Sheet
  • Bob's Blog - Inside Look. Restricted Area.
  • Upcoming Events
Do the Downs!
Live Racing this Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
  • Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $58,961 (last five races)
  • $50,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 (last four races)
  • New to the races? Be sure to stop by and see Brad and Shannon. They will answer all your questions about racing and wagering.
  • Download the Dark Horse Betting App, open a new account and get $30 in free wagers.
  • Free Family Fun activities every Monday through Sept. 4. Bouncy Castles, face painting, live entertainment. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Free admission and free parking daily.
  • Can't make it to the track? Watch and wager at HPIbet.com.
  • Please note that we have added an additional night of racing on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
  • See revised ASD schedule here.
ASD Player Portal
Get all the information on Assiniboia Downs racing in one convenient place! The ASD Player Portal features the following FREE information:

  • Link to watch ASD Live Racing on our YouTube channel
  • ASD Live with Kirt & Stretch
  • Free ASD programs
  • ASD expert picks
  • Horse Racing Nation power picks
  • Charting Horse Value charts
  • Trust The Prophets Monday handicapping live stream
  • Brisnet premium pps
  • Jockey bios
  • Photo finish photos

All of the above information is free of charge and available on the ASD Player Portal.
September HPI Bonuses
  • ASD CUSTOMER APPRECIATION - Wager $100 or more on Assiniboia Downs on Monday, September 4, Tuesday, September 5 & Wednesday, September 6 and receive 3% cash back. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum cash back $25. Available to all Manitoba HPI account holders. Must opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be made on your HPI account. ($2.10 payouts not eligible)
  • ASD CUSTOMER APPRECIATION - Wager $100 or more on Assiniboia Downs on Monday, September 11, Tuesday, September 12 & Wednesday, September 13 and receive 3% cash back. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum cash back $25. Available to all Manitoba HPI account holders. Must opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be made on your HPI account. ($2.10 payouts not eligible)
  • ASD CUSTOMER APPRECIATION - Wager $40 or more on Assiniboia Downs on Monday, September 18 & Tuesday, September 19 and receive 3% cash back. Minimum wagered $40. Maximum cash back $100. Available to all Canadian HPI account holders. Must opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be made on your HPI account. ($2.10 payouts not eligible)
  • ASD CUSTOMER APPRECIATION - Wager $100 or more on any track on Friday, September 22, Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24 and receive 2% cash back. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum cash back $25. Available to all Manitoba HPI account holders. Must opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be made on your HPI account. ($2.10 payouts not eligible)
Win $5,000 by selecting the Ace of Diamonds!

Tickets for Chase the Ace Week #16 are on sale now with a $5,000 Guaranteed Accumulator Jackpot if someone picks the Ace of Diamonds!

Manitoba Jockey Club - LGCA-5630-RF-39799
2023 Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournaments

  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 18

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 [email protected] 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. 

LAS VEGAS CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT WINNERS:
  • Monday, June 19 - Ron Zurba
  • Monday, July 10 - Murray Chaban
  • Monday, July 31 - Tanis Atras
  • Monday, August 21 - Brian McKellar
Club West Gaming Lounge

140 VLTs available daily in our spacious Club West Gaming Lounge from 10 a.m. through 1 a.m. Please note that our VLTs are sanitized between play. Click here for a full list of games available at ASD.

Win CA$H Every Day!

  • Draws to win up to $100 cash on our lucky wheel Monday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m.

  • Draws for $20 in FREE VLT Spins Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Dining at Assiniboia Downs
Club West Dining Room & Lounge Open Daily

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks plus Happy Hour food and beverage specials in our Club West Dining Room & Lounge! Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

  • Club West Dining Room & Lounge menu
  • Daily Happy Hour specials
Chef's Weekend Specials
Friday Steak & Suds $24.95: 8 oz. Sirloin steak charbroiled and seasoned with our smoky dry rub. Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Plus a complimentary pint of ASD Lucky Lager.

Saturday Prime & Wine $29.95: Certified Angus Prime Rib (8 oz. cut.) Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries, horseradish, and Yorkshire pudding au jus. Plus a complimentary 6 oz. glass of house wine.

Sunday Fish & Chips $14.95: Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.

Add a starter Caesar salad, tossed salad or soup of the day to any of the above specials for $3.95. Served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Live Racing Buffets

A limited number of reservations are still available for our all-you-can-eat Prime Rib buffet in the Terrace Dining Room for the 2023 season. Book your reservation today!

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 racing programs and tip sheets.

Adults - $49.95, Seniors (65+) - $46.95, Kids 12 & under - $29.95, Kids 5 & under - $16.95

Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330. Click here for our 2023 racing schedule.
At The Post with G.S. Thompson
Big Horses Return to Best Form, Lesser Lights Shine
Burrow Down, Magic Tiger bolster championship bids, Gittens runs 1-2 in Osiris
Burrow Down was back to her old self winning the Miss Sandy Dee Stakes on Monday. Stanley Chadee, Jr. in the saddle. Jason Halstead photo)
Star filly Burrow Down got back on the winning track, Magic Tiger scored his second stakes win of the year, and trainer Devon Gittens ran 1-2 in the 60th running of the Osiris Stakes in a week that was also a good one for some of the lesser lights at the Downs.

Burrow Down showed everyone why she’s still the best female on the grounds in the $24,000 Miss Sandy Dee Stakes on Monday. Taking the lead and the rail from the outset under pressure from longshot Even Pandura, Burrow Down feigned defeat on the final turn in the 1 1/16-mile race, letting her rival “almost” open up on her in mid turn before coming back to take the lead into the stretch.

The 4-year-old filly by Connect-True Endeavor by Aftermarket dug in through the stretch to hold off the very game Bruce Sanderson-trainee Even Pandura by three-quarters of a length with second choice Big Stretch rallying for third. The latter had defeated Burrow Down by six lengths in their previous meeting in the Escape Clause Stakes, but it’s now clear that Burrow Down wasn’t herself that day. Owned by Gerald Babchishin, trained by Murray Duncan and groomed by Christopher Gaskin, Burrow Down went over the $200,000 mark in earnings with her Sandy Dee victory and is now 6-for-7 at the Downs.
Magic Tiger romps in the Bocage Overnight Stakes on Tuesday. Damario Bynoe up. (Jason Halstead photo)
Magic Tiger also returned to his stakes-winning ways on Tuesday night with a convincing 3 ¼-length victory in the $24,000 Bocage Overnight Stakes over arch rival Big Nick, who had defeated him handily by six lengths in the Manitoba Mile one start earlier. Like Burrow Down, it was clear Magic Tiger also had an off day in his previous start, and he was definitely back to his best in the Bocage.

Conditioned by Wendy Anderson for Bill Meikle and Wind Dancer Stable, the 5-year-old gelding by Smiling Tiger-Funny Gal by Lucky Pulpit was back early in the 1 1/16-mile race under jockey Damario Bynoe, but made a good move to duel favourite Big Nick into submission on the final turn and drew away through the stretch. Groomed by Anderson’s daughter Jaydean Lamothe, Magic Tiger is now 4-for-5 at the Downs with two stakes wins to his credit. The Gold Cup beckons.
Canyouhearmerunnin improves to a perfect 3-for-3 with his victory in the Osiris Stakes on Wednesday at ASD. Shavon Belle up. (Jason Halstead photo)
On Wednesday night trainer Devon Gittens continued to live up to lofty expectations when he saddled Canyouhearmerunnin and Justlemmeatem to finish 1-2 in the $50,000 Osiris Stakes for owners Pink Cloud Racing and Ron Wiley, and Dr. Betty Huges, respectively.

Canyouhearmerunnin, a 2-year-old Ontario-bred gelding by Reload-Joaquina by Holy Bull, was ridden by Shavon Belle, and when Belle said "go" on the backstretch after pressing four-wide early, it was game over for his rivals. Canyouhearmerunnin drew off to win by 8 ½-lengths over his Manitoba-bred stablemate Justlemmeatem (Vengeful Wildcat-Siphon Vice by Siphon), who to his credit gave it everything he had under Renaldo Cumberbatch all the way to the wire.

Canyouhearmerunnin is the best 2-year-old on the grounds right now, having won his three lifetime starts here by a total of 16 ½-lengths including the Graduation Stakes in his start before the Osiris. Gittens continues to roll with young and old horses alike, and has now won 19 races to move into a tie for fifth in the standings with Shelley Brown.
Horse owner and presenter Rita Serbin congratulates jockey Damario Bynoe as trainer Wendy Anderson looks on after winning the Bocage Overnight Stakes with Magic Tiger on Tuesday. (Jason Halstead photo)
Jerry Gourneau continues to lead all trainers with 36 wins, followed by Wendy Anderson (27), Jared Brown (25) and Mike Nault (22). If Gourneau can hold on to win the training title, he’ll be the first trainer in Assiniboia Downs history to win it four years in a row.

Jockey Antonio Whitehall leads all riders with 44 wins as he shoots for his third local riding title, and newcomer Damario Bynoe has moved into second place with 33 wins followed by 2021-2022 champion Jorge Carreno (29), Chavion Chow (27) and Ronald Al (24).
And how about a shoutout for jockeys Tim Tarasenco, Arthur Budhu, and Shavon Belle.
Jockey Shavon Belle is led into the winner's circle by groom Rheco Gittens after his third win in a row aboard Canyouhearmerunnin in the Osiris Stakes on Wednesday. (George Williams photo)
Tarasenco has won 10 races in his second season off a 24-year layoff, and is riding better now than he did as a young buck, Budhu has won nine races compared with just one win last year and has really started to fit in well as a solid addition to the jockey colony, and Belle got off to a slow start but has since won nine races including two stakes aboard the best 2-year-old on the grounds.

Good to spread the money around. 
Racing under a rare Super Moon at Assiniboia Downs on Tuesday night. (Jason Halstead photo)
Top NFL Picks by TravyFootball: Season Preview

Well thank goodness that long seven-month break is over! Time to get back to work!

Welcome my loyal readers, to another season of Top NFL Picks with your handsome host, TravyFootball. With kickoff just a little over a week away, I thought it was time to come back with a season preview of a few teams to watch for this year. 
 
The New York Jets: I think the most intriguing situation to watch out for is how Aaron Rodgers will fair in New York after spending 18 years in Green Bay. The Jets won seven games in 2022, and that was with a revolving door at quarterback. Rodgers at the very least brings some stability to the position, and now he is hoping to gel with his new teammates. It might take a few weeks to get going, but I see them winning anywhere from eight to 10 games. 
 
The San Francisco 49ers: Oh c’mon! As if I was going to write a season preview that didn't include MY 49ers. Now that the whole QB situation has been sorted out (Brock Purdy the starter, Trey Lance traded to Dallas last week, and Jimmy G in Oakland), it’s full steam ahead. The only other team I see as competition for them is the same team they lost to in the NFC Championship last season, the Eagles. I predict a minimum of 12 wins this year for SF, and that’s my unbiased opinion. I’m also going to continue my tradition of saying that if the 49ers win the Super Bowl, I will get it tattooed onto my body. 
 
The Green Bay Packers: For the first time in 15 years, the Packers will have an unfamiliar face behind center. Aaron Rodgers decided to “pack” up (see what I did there?) and head to the big apple, leaving behind 2020 first round pick Jordan Love to steer the ship. I honestly don’t know what to expect from him given this will be his first year as a full-time starter. Having said that, they drafted him knowing this day would come sooner rather than later, and now it’s here. My prediction, the Packers win nine games and miss out on the playoffs. 
 
And finally, my unbiased Super Bowl pick. Until another team steps up to dethrone them, the Kansas City Chiefs will once again represent the AFC, and in the NFC, I will roll with the 49ers (unbiased of course!).
Looking for a Special Photo of Your Big Horse?
Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for
Delvecchio (inside) showing his frameable heart and determination early in the running of the Phil Kives Stakes. (Jason Halsted 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 [email protected]. Prices are excellent! Almost as good as his photos 😊
Carryover Watch
  • Del Mar (September 1) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $348,523. Mandatory payout on Saturday, September 2.
  • Assiniboia Downs (September 4) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $58,961

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 playing Assiniboia Downs every Wednesday. $20 per share. Email Larry at [email protected] for more information.

There will be a special "I Won Bigg" session at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 2. The group will be playing the mandatory payout of the Jackpot Pick 6 at Del Mar.
Food Truck Battles are back plus a Tattoo Pop-up! 30 of Manitoba's best food trucks in one place plus live entertainment, beer gardens and more!

  • Saturday, September 9 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 10 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $5 (5 & under free).
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
The 24th running of the Gold Cup in 1981 was a thriller. The big-time favourite was the 7-2 western invader, Ky Alta. Gary Danelson’s Baladi trailed the field by 10 lengths on the backstretch, but when Irwin Driedger asked him to run, Baladi did so with a vengeance. Following the race Danelson described Baladi as the best horse he'd ever trained. High praise indeed, coming from the Downs all-time leading trainer! (Gerry Hart photo)
Redekop wins his second Canadian Derby with Arrogate colt making Alberta debut
Abeliefinthislivin and jockey Amadeo Perez take the $200,000 Canadian Derby. (Ryan Haynes photo)
Peter Redekop’s grey Arrogate colt Abeliefinthislivin took advantage of a strong pace early in the 94th Canadian Derby (G3) and powered away to a 2 1/2-length win in Alberta’s premier race for three-year-olds and the second leg of the Western Canadian Triple Crown. The Derby had a full field of 12 traveling 1 1/4-miles on the Century Mile dirt track and fans were quickly enamored with Abeliefinthislivin, who was shipping in from the U.S. after racing against tough company for trainer Peter Miller. More from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here.
Canadian runner Tyson listed at 5-1 for win-and-your-in Breeders' Cup prep
Tyson winning at Woodbine. (Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo)
The road to the 2023 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winds through Saratoga Race Course one final time this weekend on Saturday, Sept. 2, in the 105th running of the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). The Gold Cup is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park. Two-time Woodbine graded stakes winner Tyson meets seven tough rivals in one of the biggest races of the year. Can he do it? Get the scoop on his competition from America's Best Racing here.
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Our history guy recently took a tour of one of the most restricted areas on the grounds and yes, lived to talk about it. In this week’s installment of the history blog, we go back in time to check out some people from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and beyond who have a direct association with the place in question. Click here for some history on a restricted area at the track that may not be area 51, but it is one of the coolest places at Assiniboia Downs. 
Upcoming events at ASD
  • Spin to Win in the Club West Gaming Lounge - Monday to Friday - more info
  • Lucky Spins - Draws for $20 in free VLT Spins - Friday to Sunday - more info
  • ASD Live Racing Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. - more info
  • Free Family Fun Nights Mondays through Sept. 4 - more info
  • MB Food Truck Battles and Tattoo-Pop-up - Saturday, Sept. 9 & Sunday, Sept.10 - more info
  • Together Again - Friday, Sept. 22 - more info
  • Vintage & Collectibles Sale - Saturday, Sept. 30 - more info
  • MICEC Monster Bingo - Saturday, October 21 - more info
Feedback
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected].
The Inside Track Archives
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