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!
• Free Draws for $200 cash every Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 9 p.m.
• Wagering on top tracks from North America, Europe & Australia
• 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?
• Draws in the VLT Lounge every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• There's always a Deal at ASD!
• Christmas Buffet
• New Year's Eve Dinner and Dance
• Doug Evans wins Player's Choice Tourney by a Nose
• AI Handicapping Test #3. Turf. Hollywood Derby
• Looking For a Special Photo?
• TravyFootball Week 13
• Wagering, Betting Bonuses & More
• A Snapshot in Time: Gary Danelson's 1,200th Win
• 2024 Clark Stakes at a Glance
• Field of 10 Faceoff in Hollywood Turf Cup
• Saturday Stakes Plays at Gulfstream Park
• Best of Bob: Memories of Hall of Famer Irwin Driedger
• Upcoming Events

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

Daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.

Drink Specials

• 6 oz. House Wine - $5.50
• House Spirits - $5.50
• Domestic Beer - $5.50
• House Lager Pint - $6.00
• Downs Caesar - $7.00

Appetizer Specials

• Sweet Potato Fries - $8.95
• Chicken Fingers - $8.95
• Cheese Nachos - $8.95
• Pot Stickers - $8.95

Spirit Hour

Nightly from 11 p.m. to Midnight

• House Vodka - $4
• Rye - $4
• Gin - $4
• Rum - $4
• Spiced Rum - $4

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!

Experience and Strategy Pays Off in Player's Choice

Doug Evans holds on to defeat Free Press handicapper George Williams by a nose

Doug Evans (pictured right) has been handicapping horse races since he was 16 years old, starting at tracks in Toronto and Orangeville. His decades of experience paid off in last Saturday's Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament, as he hit a longshot on his first bet and held on late to defeat Winnipeg Free Press handicapper George Williams by the slimmest of margins.

The 77-year-old retired pharmaceutical sales regional manager built his bankroll to $104.00, just enough to nose out Williams ($102.50) in what turned out to be a tough day for longshot players. Kathleen Buckoski ($99.00) finished third, followed by Cecelia Liebrecht ($95.00) and Ron Phelps ($90.10).

"I didn't think I was going to win it," Evans said, despite getting off to a blazing start with 15-1 longshot Venezuelan Triumph in the first race at Tampa Bay. "I knew I had over a hundred bucks, but I thought, well, I hope I get in the top five."

Evans' victory was built on a methodical approach he's developed over his six decades of handicapping. His strategy for tournament play is distinct: attack the first five races looking for longshots, then adjust based on results. In this case, his approach paid immediate dividends when his first selection returned $33.30, $13.50 and $8.10 across the board.

"The very first one got me right in there," Evans recalled. "When that hit, I thought, 'geez, I better get serious here." That initial score proved crucial, as Evans went on to cash tickets on each of his first five selections before cooling off slightly in the latter half of the tournament.

While some handicappers pour over speed figures and pace scenarios, Evans has developed his own approach focused primarily on board betting - watching the odds movements in the minutes leading up to post time. "You know, the horse is going to be like 20-1 and all of a sudden he's going down, down, down to 10-1,” said Evans. “And then there's two minutes left and he drops again. You're thinking, ‘Somebody's knowledgeable money is being bet on that horse.’”

Evans also maintains strict criteria for the types of races he'll play. He likes to play races with seven horses or less. “I don't want 12 horses in a race, it’s easier to pick one out of seven." said Evans, applying the same analytical mindset that served him well during his career managing pharmaceutical sales teams.

This isn't Evans' first tournament success. He's previously won two other handicapping tournaments at Assiniboia Downs, including one that earned him a trip to Las Vegas for the Orleans World Series of Handicapping. Competing against roughly 700 players in Vegas, he actually led the tournament after day one. And that’s extremely difficult to do!

Despite his success, Evans maintains a modest approach to the game. "I'm not a big bettor. I mean, I'm a two and five-dollar bettor, that's it," he said, crediting much of his development as a handicapper to his friend and mentor Larry Liebrecht, noting that while they often land on the same horses, they frequently arrive there through different handicapping angles.

Evans has also been a horse owner, having been part of Hardball Stable years ago, but it's the socializing aspect of the game and the intellectual challenge of handicapping that keeps him engaged with the sport. He continues to study and evolve his approach, watching handicapping videos on YouTube and reading classic handicapping texts like Steve Davidowitz's "Betting Thoroughbreds," which he's read multiple times.

The tournament victory earned Evans $1,000 and a trophy, which he plans to turn into Christmas money for his grandkids. While the victory was sweet, he's quick to emphasize that he approaches horse playing primarily as entertainment. "If I lose, I lose. It's not going to hurt me. I've got my pension. I'm not spending my kids' inheritance," he chuckled.

Evans, who has been playing at Assiniboia Downs for over 20 years since moving to Manitoba from Ontario, had nothing but praise for our local track and its management. "I think Assiniboia Downs is a great track,” he said. “Sheri (Glendinning) does a phenomenal job. I hope she’s there for a long time." He particularly appreciates how Sheri looks after the handicappers, noting her thoughtfulness in sending out tournament forms ahead of time.

Meanwhile, the race for Handicapper of the Year remains tight heading into the final Player's Choice tournament of the year on December 28. Randy Premachuk, who finished seventh in Saturday’s tourney, currently leads the standings with 269 points, followed by Darcy Penner (255), Alan Hampton (241), Trevor Phelps (241), and Nicole Baker (228). With $3,500 and year-end bragging rights on the line, the competition promises to be fierce in the final tourney.

For Evans, who now lives in Selkirk and makes the drive to Assiniboia Downs regularly during the live meet, the victory validates his systematic approach to tournament play. "I look at it for the fun aspect," he said, but his methodical strategy and years of experience suggest he's having fun, precisely because he's figured out what works.

Congratulations Doug! Well done!

Handicapping: Fun With Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI Test #3. Hollywood Derby on the Turf

Horse handicapping. With AI.

HOLLYWOOD DERBY (G1) ADVANCE

Race 9, Del Mar, Saturday, November 30, 2024

1 1/8 Miles (Turf) | Purse: $300,000

Hollywood Derby Picks

1. Formidable Man
2. Rothschild
3. Donegal Momentum
4. Carson's Run

Value Plays

Carson's Run

Attilan

Saturday's Hollywood Derby shapes up as a fascinating test featuring unbeaten local star Formidable Man against a deep cast of challengers. With Del Mar turf form and proven graded stakes ability scattered throughout the field, the race offers compelling wagering opportunities.

Formidable Man brings a perfect 3-for-3 local record and enters off consecutive stakes wins over this course and distance. The McCarthy trainee showed his class defeating several of today's rivals in the Del Mar Derby, and his tactical versatility under Rispoli is a major asset. The 75-day freshening raises slight concerns at 4-1 on the morning line.

Rothschild enters having shown particular affinity for the Del Mar turf course, with strong performances in both the Cecil B. DeMille and Oceanside Stakes. The Tim Yakteen trainee gets a significant rider upgrade to Flavien Prat and has been training forwardly since his subpar effort in the Twilight Derby. His tactical style should put him in an ideal position behind what projects as honest fractions. While still seeking his first turf victory, his closing kick over this course makes him dangerous at fair odds.

Donegal Momentum ships west with impressive momentum after back-to-back New York victories. The Uncle Mo colt keeps Castellano aboard and brings strong closing fractions from his recent wins. While facing tougher here, his development pattern suggests another forward move is possible.

Carson's Run adds intrigue while dropping back in distance for Clement. The Grade 1 winner at longer trips has shown consistent improvement and retains Davis for this shorter test. His late pace in longer races suggests he could be dangerous if the pace develops honestly.

The Hollywood Derby presents compelling value opportunities in a deep and competitive field. Rothschild's affinity for the Del Mar turf course, rider upgrade, and tactical ability make him the key play at attractive odds. Formidable Man's perfect local record demands respect, while several proven graded stakes performers create opportunities for prices throughout the vertical exotics.

Multiple overlay situations exist across all pools. Our main strategy focuses on capitalizing on Rothschild's value while using logical contenders underneath. The presence of both tactical types and proven closers provides coverage against various pace scenarios over the nine-furlong distance.

Good Luck!

Can't make it to the track to wager?

Vist 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

Be sure to stop by the Canad Inns Windsor Park, Green Brier Inn and Quest Inn every Saturday afternoon. A draw will be held at each location for $25 in wagering vouchers!

Carryover Watch

• Churchill (November 29) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $201,174
• Woodbine (November 29) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $84,404

Click here for more carryovers.

Player Rewards & Cash Back Program

Earn Points: Earn points for all your wagering when you swipe your HPI card or wager on HPIbet.com. Click here for more information.

Earn Cash Bonuses: Betting bonus cash is earned at four different wagering levels in addition to regular HPIbet rewards points earned. Bonus calculations are available on payouts of $2.20 and above. Maximum weekly bonus deposit $1,000. Click here for more information.

Handicapping Tournaments

Player's Choice Tournaments



• Player’s Choice – Saturday, December 28

$1,750 up for grabs! 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. Click here to see a list of the 2024 tournament winners.

"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 featured tracks will be Tampa Bay, Woodbine and Del Mar. Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please email Larry.

In our third and final Gary Danelson memory, we revisit August 12, 2017. It was the night Gary scored his 1200th career win at the Downs with Mystery Cat. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Downs All-Time Leading Trainer has 1255 wins to his name, and they were all registered right here at the Downs.

While Gary continues to threaten retirement, a little bird has tweeted a rumour that the man from Scobey, Montana purchased a horse in the October 2024 Kentucky yearling sale. Could this be true? (Jason Halstead photo)

2024 Clark Stakes at a Glance

Hit Show is the horse to beat in 10-horse field after three straight stakes wins

The field for the 2019 Clark Stakes settles into early position prior to reaching the first turn at Churchill Downs. (Coady Media)

The handicap division for older horses will offer one of its last 2024 opportunities for taking down a hefty purse when the Grade 2 Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare is contested Friday at Churchill Downs. The Grade 2 stakes, which serves as a nice option for horses who skipped the Breeders’ Cup, drew a field of 10 for what should be a competitive and intriguing betting race. More from America's Best Racing 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
• Saturday, Dec. 14 to Thursday, Dec. 26 - 12 Days of Christmas Cash - more info
• Christmas Buffet - Sunday, December 22 - more info
• Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament - Saturday, Dec. 28 - more info
• New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance - Tuesday, Dec. 31 - more info