ASD Hours

• Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• VLT machines are sanitized between use

Assiniboia Downs is Open-Year Round

• 140 VLTs open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Free games for cash prizes!
• Draws for $200 cash every Friday, Saturday & Sunday starting tonight!
• Wagering on top tracks from North America & Europe
• Daily Happy Hour, $11.95 lunch specials, evening specials and full dining menu
• Facility rentals
• Special events

Go to ASDowns.com for a complete list of upcoming events and specials.

In this edition . . .

• What's happening at the Downs?
• Breeders' Cup from Del Mar
• Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament
• Daily Draws for Cash in VLT Lounge
• There's always a Deal at ASD!
• Chef's Weekend Specials
• Breeders' Cup Quick Picks
• Looking For a Special Photo?
• TravyFootball Week 9
• Carryover Watch
• Off-Track Betting Locations
• "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
• A Snapshot in Time: Golden Stripe
• Breeders' Cup Webinar
• Breeders' Cup Japanese Contenders
• Canadian Hopes in 41st Breeders' Cup
• Melbourne Cup Contenders
• Best of Bob: Dean Kutz
• Upcoming Events

Breeders' Cup from Del Mar

Friday, Nov. 1 & Saturday, Nov. 2

• Assiniboia Downs will be doing random generated draws for HPI deposits on Friday, November 1. Check your account Friday morning to see it you are one of the lucky random winners. All HPI account holders are automatically entered. You do NOT have to opt-in to be eligible for these draws.
• 3% cash back bonus on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. Wager a total of $1,000 or more on your HPI account on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 and receive 3% cash back to a maximum of $100. ($2.10 wagers are not eligible). All wagers must be placed on your HPI account and you must opt in to qualify.
• Special Breeders' Cup Handicapping Show with ASD Live's Kirt & Stretch. Watch here.
• Free Breeders' Cup programs and DRF are available at Assiniboia Downs, Quest Inn, Green Brier, Canad Inns Windsor Park, Club 3D, Nor-Villa, Rookies, McPhillips Station Casino & Club Regent Casino.
• Breeders' Cup merchandise draws will also be held at all of the above locations on Saturday.
• The Terrace Dining Room will be open for seating. If you would like to reserve a table please call 204-885-3330. The Club West menu will be available along with the daily food specials. Please note that there will not be a buffet.

BREEDERS’ CUP WAGERING MINUMUMS

• Win, Place Show ($2)
• Daily Double ($2)
• Exactor ($1)
• Special Daily Doubles ($2)
• All-Turf Pick 3 ($4)
• Pick 6 ($1.40) (enter custom amount on HPI)
• Triactor ($.60)
• Pick 3 ($.60)
• Pick 4 ($.60)
• Pick 5 ($.60)
• Super Hi-5 ($.60)
• Superfecta ($.20)

$500 EXCLUSIVE BREEDERS’ CUP CONTEST

• This exclusive contest is free to enter and is open to anyone who has participated in at least one of the eleven Assiniboia Downs Handicapping Contests that have taken place in 2024.
• The contest will take place on the five Breeders’ Cup races (races 6 through 10) on Friday, November 1 and the nine Breeders’ Cup races (races 4 through 12) from Del Mar on Saturday, November 2. Select the winner of each of the fourteen Breeders’ Cup races.
• The total number of winners from Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 will be added together and the $500 HPI deposit will be awarded to the person who has selected the most winners.
• In the event of a tie, the $500 HPI deposit will be divided equally between all the winners.

Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments

Player's Choice Tournaments

• Player’s Choice – Saturday, November 23
• Player’s Choice – Saturday, December 28

Entry fee $25. Entrants pick 10 races from any thoroughbred, harness or quarter horse track that is racing on the contest day. A $2 WPS wager is placed on one horse from each race. The entrant with the highest bankroll is the winner.

Prizes: 

• 1st Place: $1,000 plus trophy
• 2nd Place: $400
• 3rd Place: $200
• 4th Place: $100
• 5th Place: $50

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
• Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 2 - Winner: Paul Gray
• Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 23 – Winner: Alan Hampton
• Player's Choice - Saturday, October 19 - Winner: Randy Premachuk

Club West Gaming Lounge

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.

ASD is the place to be every Friday, Saturday & Sunday night! A Free Draw for $200 Cash plus a chance to Spin the Lucky Wheel to win up to $100!

• Spin the Cash Wheel every Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel for up to $100 cash. Draws from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Draws for $200 Cash every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Join us in the VLT Lounge every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a chance to win $200 cash. The draw for $200 cash will take place at 9 p.m.
• Dinner specials, drink specials and a chance to win some cash! It doesn't get any better than that!

New! $11.95 Daily Lunch Specials

Daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each day of the week will feature a daily food item as outlined below.

Happy Hour

New hours! Daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.

All of the above specials are dine-in only and are subject to applicable taxes.

Evening Chef's Specials

Daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Reservations are not required.

• Mondays: Chicken Finger Dinner $14.95 - Crispy breaded chicken tenders served with our famous honey dill dip. Served with fries and coleslaw. 

• Tuesdays: 20% Off all regular priced food items.

• Wednesdays: Pizza $15.95 - 12-inch thin crust pizza. Ham & Pineapple, Pepperoni & Mushroom or Vegetarian (tomatoes, onions, peppers, black olives & mushrooms).

• Thursdays: Chipotle Mozza Burger $15.95 - Our signature chuck patty and crispy bacon smothered in melted mozzarella. Topped with fresh sliced tomato, fried onion rings, chipotle mayo and sweet bold barbecue sauce.

• Fridays: Steak & Suds $29.95 - 8 oz. NY Striploin 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.

• Saturdays: Prime Rib & Wine $29.95 - 8 oz. Certified Angus Prime Rib. 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.

• Sundays: Fish & Chips $16.95 - Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.

As a special bonus, everyone who orders one of the evening specials will receive a game card to play “Pick to Win” in our Club West Gaming Lounge. Pick the green poker chip and you can spin our cash wheel to win up to $100 cash!

Spirit Hour

House Vodka, Rye, Gin, Rum & Spiced Rum - 1 oz - $4

Every night from 11 p.m. to Midnight

Breeders' Cup Quick Picks

Horses we like, and some we don't, in all 14 Breeders' Cup races

Hill Road will be a longshot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. (Racingfotos.com)

Future Stars Friday

Race 6 Juvenile Turf Sprint

Whistlejacket looks best among the Europeans if he runs his race, and also best overall. Governor Sam gives his best every time and must overcome his tough wide post. Japanese runner Ecoro Sieg has talent and now moves into the lion's den after two straight wins in his home country. He broke a 20-year-old track record in his second lifetime start and could be this good, but does lack experience. Asterius, Big Mojo, Magnum Force are about equal on talent and with good trips from the inside they have a shot.

Race 7 Juvenile Fillies

Wide open race. Immersive is good but she'll need her best race if any of these young fillies improves. Nooni is dangerously fast and could clear to the lead. Vodka With a Twist is bred to go long and should be a big price. Japanese runner American Bikini meets tougher than she's been facing here and will likely be an underlay. La Cara can finish and has an upset chance at a nice price. Morning-line favourite Scottish Lassie is a definite contender, but like Immersive, we think she's beatable at a short price if someone improves.

Race 8 Juvenile Fillies Turf

European morning-line favourite Lake Victoria looks like she could be a single in multi-race wagers. Thought Process is 2-for-2 at Del Mar and has underrated trainer Phil D' Amato in her corner. Virgin Colada could come with a big late rally at a nice price. Kilwin could do the same, also at a big price.

Race 9 Juvenile

Chancer McPatrick is undefeated in three starts and looks like the horse to beat. East Avenue is 2-for-2 lifetime and already looks like a 4-year-old. Gaming is 2-for-2 at Del Mar and no one would argue if you played him at 8-1 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle for trainer Bob Baffert. Japanese runners Shin Believe and Ecoro Azel would have to improve to beat this bunch. European longshot Hill Road finished seventh in a Group 1 on the turf in Ireland in his last start, but has a dirt pedigree and is probably fitter than the American horses. The question is whether he can run with them, but the price will be right.

Race 10 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

This looks like an ALL race in the multi-race wagers. Morning-line favourite New Century defeated Al Qudra in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine in his last, but the latter was very wide into the stretch and could turn the tables here with a better trip. New Century also has a tough wide post. European Seagulls Eleven could benefit from a more aggressive ride under Luis Saez and he does have some class. Mentee is a full brother to Fierceness and could be any kind. Zulu Kingdom is 3-for-3 and can finish late at a good price. Also note the "game" and "gamely" comments in his last two races.

Iron Man Cal is a huge longshot who has won at Del Mar and he comes into the race off a troubled trip. Aomori City attracts top Breeders' Cup jockey William Buick, who rode Al Qudra in his last four starts. Does he know something we don't? Has to be used on that angle alone.

Cinderella's Dream will be a key for many in the Filly & Mare Turf. (Godolphin photo)

Breeders' Cup Saturday

Race 4 Filly & Mare Sprint

Morning-line favourite Ways and Means is clearly the horse to beat. One Magic Philly is 2-for-2 at Del Mar and looks like another dangerous horse at a price for trainer Phil D' Amato. Pleasant is a talented Bob Baffert trainee moving up in class, but she did coast home in her latest victory and will probably improve again. Frosty At Dawn looks like a live longshot switching from turf to dirt with a dirt pedigree, and also gets a switch to top jockey Frankie Dettori.

Race 5 Turf Sprint

Morning-line favourite Cogburn could win but he'll have to overcome a tough post. Star of Mystery goes for the top Breeders' Cup team of trainer Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He also had trouble in his last race and would have won. He would not be a surprise winner at a nice price. European Bradsell has both class and talent, but can he overcome the widest post at a short price? Motorious is 3-for-3 over the Del Mar turf and yet another Phil D' Amato trainee with a chance from a good inside post.

Believing is a classy European who could also surprise based on both her company lines and her inside post. Big Invasion gets a rider switch to Dettori and may have been pointed for this race. He's a must-use in multi-race wagers at a nice price. Ag Bullet and Big Evs have chances that reflect their morning line odds in a very tough race, but they are not impossible.

Race 6 Distaff

Thorpedo Anna will be the most favoured horse in the Breeders' Cup, and she could very well win, but she does come into this off two tough races. Is she vulnerable? If so, Raging Sea has a chance at the upset but will need some pace to run at. Candied could be a live longshot with blinkers on and a rider switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Japanese runner Awesome Result is 7-for-7 and now steps up in class. She's a mystery horse worth using if you're looking beyond Thorpedo Anna in this race.

Race 7 Turf

Longshot Japanese runner Shahryar had trouble in this race last year and finished third beaten 1¼-lengths to one of the best horses in the world, Auguste Rodin. With a clean trip, he's the horse to beat. Morning-line favourite Rebel's Romance is a logical choice who would not be a surprise. Emily Upjohn has lost to Rebel's Romance in the past but is capable with a good trip and the rider switch to Frankie Dettori. Far Bridge can finish fast and has to be used off two Grade 1 wins in a row, but he is another that will need a perfect trip. Wingspan fits the "Forgotten Euro" angle. Luxembourg fits the same angle, also at a nice price, with jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aiden O'Brien.

Race 8 Classic

City of Troy looks like the best horse in the Classic for top connections, but will he handle the switch from turf to dirt? He doesn't need the lead, but he can win on the lead, as he finds more in his races when other horses come to him. The team of Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien think he can win, and it's hard to argue with their success rate at the Breeders' Cup, but the Classic is one race that has escaped them. City of Troy is also quite likely the fittest horse in the race and he's 6-for-7 lifetime. Must use.

Of the three Japanese runners in the Classic -- Forever Young, Derma Sotogake, and Ushba Tesoro -- we'll focus mainly on Forever Young, knowing the other two could make the photo with their very best races. Sierra Leone will be the pick of many, but he just never seems to get there. He'll need a strong pace to close into at a less than enticing price. Fierceness is an in-and-outer with enough talent to win, but will he show up?

Newgate could be dangerous at a big price for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Frankie Dettori. Has to be used on your spread tickets. Tapit Trice is another horse that needs to show up with his best race, which may or may not be good enough to win this. Next has been winning easily over marathon horses and now gets a severe class and talent test. If you can find a horse to single confidently here, lucky you.

If City of Troy shows up, he's best.

Race 9 Filly & Mare Turf

Cinderella's Dream will probably be our best single of the day based on class, talent and connections. If she doesn't fire, War Like Goddess looks like a solid second choice, but she is definitely beatable. Hang the Moon is in good form for trainer Phil D' Amato. Anisette will love the distance. Moira can rally late. Content is off form, and will likely go off at much longer odds than her 6-1 morning line. In that case, she fits the "Forgotten Euro" angle for top connections Aidan O'Brien and Frankie Dettori. And finally, what about lone speeder Full Count Felicia, who opened up by 19 lengths in the EP Taylor at Woodbine in her last race and held on to win? Seems like a must-use longshot flyer. She also gets a rider switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Catch me if you can!

Race 10 Sprint

The Sprint appears loaded with speed this year and we'll be playing primarily closers including Mullikin, Nakatomi, and longshot flyer Don Frankie. Raging Torrent has a shot at a nice morning line of 10-1, and if you go deep in this race, make sure to include Gun Pilot on your tickets based simply on running style, and Japanese runner Meta Max. Very tough race to narrow down a solid selection.

Race 11 Mile

Notable Speech looks like the best horse in the Mile and has top connections William Buick and Charles Appleby in his corner. He might even be a key for some. Carl Spackler comes to play every race but has to overcome wide post 12. Goliad is a potential lone speed play with Spackler marooned out wide and could prove tough to catch if he opens a lonely lead. European Ramatuelle has the class to win the Mile and draws Post 1. Porta Fortuna is also capable of winning this on her best day, but she will likely be an underlay off three wins in a row.

Race 12 Dirt Mile

We'll probably take a chance on longshot Mufasa in the Dirt Mile and hope he gets a perfect trip. Domestic Product is a logical play coming into the race in good form. Post Time looks like an interesting longshot who will be underbet, but he would also need a dream trip. Interestingly, Irad Ortiz, Jr. takes off Mufasa to ride Skippylongstocking, who drew the widest post. The mystery horse in the field is Muth, who is trained by Bob Baffert. He's run two or three races in his career that are good enough to win this, but in his last start he was beaten over 15 lengths. Which Muth will show up?

We know we'll be there!

Can't make it to the track to wager?

Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:

• Canad Inns Windsor Park - 1034 Elizabeth Road
• Green Brier Inn - 1611 Main Street
• Rookies at Central Hotel - 201 Melrose Avenue East
• Quest Inn - 367 Ellice Avenue
• McPhillips Station Casino - 484 McPhillips Street
• Club Regent Casino - 1425 Regent Ave W
• Nor-Villa Motor Hotel - 1763 Henderson Hwy
• Club 3D - 3317 Portage Avenue
• Wager 24/7 at HPIbet.com

"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group

The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be meeting every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the plaza in the Clubhouse. This week's track will be Del Mar. Assiniboia Downs is seeding the group's bankroll with $500 for Breeders' Cup. Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please email Larry.

Following her courageous battle with cancer, Assiniboia Downs lost a dear family member in Shelley Ann Brown on October 8, 2024. Highlights of her career include being the Downs Leading Trainer in 2012. She was the first female to claim that title outright. In 2020 Shelley won the Canadian Derby with Real Grace. 

Shelley is pictured above with one of her most successful horses, Golden Stripe. The chestnut mare won many stakes races for Shelley including four straight victories in the Distaff (2010-2013). Shelley was well-known for her brilliant smile and distinctive pose in the Downs winner’s circle, and will be sadly missed by many. (Gerry Hart photo)

Breeders' Cup 2024: Japanese Contenders

A quick look at all 19 Japanese runners in the 41st Breeders' Cup at Del Mar

Forever Young wins the Japan Dirt Classic (Tomoya Moriuchi/Horsephotos.com)

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar attracted a record number of internationals, including 19 entrants from Japan alone. When Del Mar last hosted the championships in 2021, two Japanese shippers won — Loves Only You, who scored a historic first for her homeland in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and March Lorraine, who pulled a 49-1 upset in the Distaff (G1).

Both were trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who returns in the $7 million Classic (G1) with Kentucky Derby (G1) near-misser Forever Young. More on all the Japanese runners from TwinSpires.com here.

Upcoming events at ASD

• Every Friday Night in November - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A draw for $200 cash will also take place - more info
• Every Saturday Night in November - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A draw for $200 cash will also take place - more info
• Every Sunday Night in November - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A draw for $200 cash will also take place - more info
• Breeders' Cup - Friday, Nov. 1 & Saturday, Nov. 2 - more info
• Inspirations Market - Saturday, Nov. 9 & Sunday, Nov. 10 - more info
• Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament - Saturday, November 23 - more info