2026 Live Race Dates

• Tuesday, May 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 7. Click here for full schedule.
• Reservations are now open for our renowned Prime Rib Buffet which is available on Live Race Nights only.
• Special Offer: $10 off per reservation in May. Use code MAYPRIME when booking. Reservations must be made by Thursday, April 30 in order to receive this special offer.

Jared Brown Brings Powerful Stable to Downs for 2026

Trainer Jared Brown had his best season ever at Assiniboia Downs with regards to purse earnings in 2025, and he's assembled another powerful stable for 2026, but he also knows it will be tough to improve on last year.

Brown compiled a record of 25-23-19 from 129 starts in 2025, and his horses earned $424,028, winning numerous stakes with horses Welcometohollywood, Omaha Warrior, and Wecanonlyimagine, who will lead the stable into battle again this year.

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.

Road to the Kentucky Derby

• Mar. 28 - Arkansas Derby (OP) - 100 points
• Mar. 28 - Florida Derby (GP) - 100 points
• Mar. 28 - UAE Derby (MEY) - 100 points
• April 4 - Blue Grass (Kee) - 100 points
• April 4 - Santa Anita Derby - 100 points
• April 4 - Wood Memorial (Aqu) - 100 points
• April 11 - Lexington (Kee) - 20- points
• May 2 - Kentucky Derby

3% Cash Back

Earn 3% cash back when you wager $100 or more on any track through your HPI account on Saturday, April 3. You must opt in here. (Maximum cash back: $25. $2.10 payouts not included.)

Mandatory Payouts

• Saturday, March 28 - Woodbine Harness Jackpot Hi-5. Current carryover $198,445.
• Sunday, March 29 - Gulfstream Jackpot Pick 6. The current carryover is $115,638.

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

Dandy Thought and jockey Dickie Armstrong are seen here following their win on June 25, 1959. In 1955, Max Freed’s bay mare won the prestigious Winnipeg Futurity at old Polo Park. The always “Dapper” Freed is seen in the middle, flanked by his sons Marshall (left) and Sam (right) (Armstrong family photo).

Forever Young Seeks Redemption in Dubai World Cup

Forever Young certainly is the key piece in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) puzzle this Saturday at Meydan Racecourse but there are some intriguing subplots swirling around the Japanese superstar.

Not the least of those is Forever Young's bid to avenge his third-place finish in the 2025 World Cup, two lengths back of the winner, the Brad Cox-trained longshot Hit Show, who is back again this year.

-- BloodHorse

Betting a 20-1 Longshot in the 2026 Arkansas Derby

Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park has drawn a strong field and looks like an excellent betting race.

Silent Tactic (5-2) won the Southwest Stakes and exits a nose defeat in the Rebel Stakes. Blackout Time (6-1) finished a strong second in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity last fall, and Renegade (3-2) recently scored a decisive triumph in the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

But J. Keeler Johnson likes a 20-1 shot.

-- America's Best Racing

2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings - Week 10

Hall of Fame writer Steve Haskin expands his Kentucky Derby list to 25 this week, with no standouts emerging after last weekend's Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Steve shortened the notes on each horse for Week 10, and if you're unfamiliar with the horses currently on the Derby Trail, this week's notes will get you up to speed quickly.

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

From the Archives – July 11, 2024

The six-furlong race has long been a fan favourite at the Downs. Back on September 19, 1958, Mazur set the track record at 1:10 2/5—a mark that stood for 15 years and was matched six times. Then, on May 20, 1973, a Don Gray-trained gelding shaved 1/5 of a second off that time to set a new record. Who was he? Here’s a hint: his sire won two American Triple Crown races. Click here to discover the name of this local record-setter—and his champion father.