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Winnipeg, Canada – August 8, 2023 - Assiniboia Downs celebrated another exhilarating edition of the Manitoba Derby tonight with a full 10 horse field running for the $125,000 purse.
The Derby victory was secured by Mano Dura, who surged ahead in a thrilling homestretch dash. Leading jockey Antonio Whitehall guided the 15-1 shot Mano Dura to triumph with a final stretch surge that made the difference to overtake the favourite Heroic Move at the finish line. Mano Dura trains under Jerry Gourneau for owner Henry S. Witt Jr. This is the first Manitoba Derby win for Henry S. Witt Jr., Jerry Gourneau and Antonio Whitehall. The horse arrived at Assiniboia Downs after racing at Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park in Texas earlier this year.
Mano Dura now has a chance to compete in the remaining legs of the inaugural $550,000 Western Canadian Triple Crown series at Century Mile and Hastings Racecourse in the coming weeks.
The 75th running of the Manitoba Derby saw huge engagement with $434,109 in total wagering for the prestigious race, contributing to a robust overall wagering sum of $3,708,804 for the entire program – setting an all-time track record for both.
A key highlight of the race card was the mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5. The carryover going into the program was a record $597K and horseplayers responded by adding a whopping additional $1.86 million on the day. The Pick 5 paid $5,689 for a $1 bet.
Reflecting on this year’s event, CEO Darren Dunn shared, "Each year, the Manitoba Derby program brings great energy to the track both locally and abroad, and this year was no exception. There were some big fields again this year making for some great racing. We are truly grateful to our dedicated horsepeople, our incredible staff, and the unwavering support of our loyal horseplayers."
Adding to the excitement, the $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 ballooned to $190,236 when the betting closed, underscoring the strong appeal of this pool all year.
Racing at Assiniboia Downs continues every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7:30 pm (Central Time). To stay connected with the latest updates and information, please visit ASDowns.com.
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