From Filling Water Buckets to 900 Wins: Martin Drexler’s Journey from Assiniboia Downs to Gulfstream Park

Former Assiniboia Downs leading trainer Martin Drexler has come a long way from his days carrying water buckets and mucking stalls in 1989.

The Slovakia-born horseman saddled his 900th career winner on January 16 at Gulfstream Park when Palace View rallied from just off the pace under Javier Castellano to win a $20,000 claiming race at 12-to-1.

We caught up with him at his home in Florida, and here’s what he had to say.

Full story here.

Explore a Career as a Racehorse Groom!

Looking for a hands-on way to get involved in the horse racing industry?

The HBPA of Manitoba Inc. is offering a 4-week paid Racehorse Groom Training Program, a chance to learn the ropes of daily barn life while working directly with racehorses.

Applications are open now! For details and to apply, visit hbpamanitoba.ca or email hbpamanitoba@mymts.net.

Full story here.

The fun never stops at Assiniboia Downs

Winnipeg’s place to play and win!

Did you know that Assiniboia Downs is Winnipeg's #1 Spot for VLT Jackpots? Play any of our 140 VLTs in the Club West Gaming Lounge for your chance to win!

🎡 Free Spin to Win draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 6 p.m.

💸 Free $200 cash draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.

Click here to see our recent jackpots.

NFL Picks by TravyFootball

Conference Championships

We’re down to the final four, and things are getting messy fast. Sunday comes with a massive QB injury twist that could swing the entire AFC title game, and Sunday night is Rams vs Seahawks — a matchup I hate because somebody has to win. I went 2-1 last week and I’ve got my picks locked in… but you’ll have to click here to see who I’m backing.

Road to the Kentucky Derby

• Jan. 31 - Withers (Aqu) - 20 points
• Jan. 31 - Holy Bull (GP) - 20 points
• Jan. 31 - Southwest (OP) - 20 points

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 😊

A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates

This will wrap-up our holiday greeting-themed photos. Here we have Sam Lima’s 1969 Manitoba Derby winner Fire N’ Desire.

Sam passed a few years back, but his daughter, Joanne Madden sent holiday wishes on behalf of herself and her Mom, who turned 97 years young on Boxing Day.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Lima! (Gerry Hart Photo).

Pegasus World Cup Cheat Sheet

The 10th annual Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) is the diamond among eight stakes races to be run at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

The Pegasus has been won by some of the very best dirt horses of the past decade, including inaugural winner Arrogate, Gun Runner (2018), Knicks Go (2021), and Life Is Good (2022).

Last year's winner White Abarrio is back to defend his title, but he's been knocked off the favourite's perch by the undefeated 5-for-5 Disco Time, who has been listed at 8/5.

-- America's Best Racing

Pegasus World Cup Turf Turf fair odds: Panning for 'Gold' and other long shots

Handicapper Ed DeRosa at Horse Racing Nation says he generally subscribes to the "Grade 1 horses win Grade 1 races" cliche, but he's willing to buck that saying if the price is right, and that's just what he'll be doing in Saturday's Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park.



-- Horse Racing Nation

2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings - Week 1

Hall of Fame scribe Steve Haskin says that this may be the most challenging Week 1 of Kentucky Derby rankings he's ever done.

What makes his opening group so difficult to figure, with the exception of Ted Noffey, who appears to have zero flaws, is that many of the proven stakes horses still have question marks, and the later developing colts have yet to prove themselves in stakes company.

Beware, this is a long and detailed opener!

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

Bob thought it was time for a story on some out-of-towners. You know, the people who travel from other parts of Canada and the US to race in Winnipeg. The subject of this week's blog is a trio of men from Alberta who raced at both Polo Park and the Downs. 

There’s even a special treat this week, Bob was able to find a personal connection to one of the men. Not bad when you consider that the horseman last raced at the Downs 60 years ago and won the Canadian Derby 71 years ago. 

Who’s the connection, who's the horseman, who's the trio? Click here to find out. (From Sept. 3, 2020)