2026 Live Race Dates

• Tuesday, May 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 7. Click here for full schedule.
• Reservations are now open for our renowned all-you-can-eat 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.

Homer's Back — And He's Brought an Army

It was a chilly Thursday morning in the ASD backstretch when we caught up with trainer Jason Homer, who is here for the second year in a row from Washington State with 24 horses and more coming.

Homer was playing with Falsely Accused, one of his favourites. The big gray was taunting his trainer with faux lunges and bites, until his breakfast arrived. Then it was all business.

There were over 100 workouts on the main track this week as trainers began to tighten the screws ahead of opening evening at ASD on Tuesday, May 12. Homer's horses were among them.



He’ll be ready.

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.

Kentucky Derby

Join us for the most exciting two minutes in sports! Watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby live at Assiniboia Downs or at any of our off-track partner locations.

• Free Kentucky Derby programs and Daily Racing Forms available at all locations (available the afternoon of Thursday, April 30).
• Don’t miss the special ASD Live Kentucky Derby YouTube Show with your favourite hosts, Kirt & Stretch, as they break down all the Derby action. Subscribe to our ASD YouTube channel and you will be notified when the show is available to watch.
• On Derby Day, Saturday, May 2, enter free draws for official Kentucky Derby merchandise at all locations.

Assiniboia Downs will open at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2.

Owner/Trainer/Breeder Appreciation Dinner

You and a Guest are cordially invited to our Owner/Trainer/Breeder Appreciation Dinner.

• Thursday, June 11
• Terrace Dining Room at Assiniboia Downs
• Cocktails: 5:00 p.m.
• Prime Rib Buffet: 6:00 p.m.
• Tickets: $20 donation. All donations will go to the Winners Foundation and Final Furlong

Tickets can be purchased at the General Office or by calling 204-885-3330. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, June 8. An LGCA licence number is required at the time of purchase.

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

Flamingo Stable’s 2-year-old, Wily Waltzer, is pictured in the Winner’s Circle on August 7, 1965, with owners Jim and Hazel Wright (on the left), son Bob holding Wily, and trainer Angus Fraser on the right. In 1966, the classy Alberta colt finished second in the 18th running of the Manitoba Derby, losing by a narrow neck to Carodana. (Bob Barnes photo)

White Abarrio Gets Slight Edge Over Sovereignty and Journalism in Oaklawn Handicap

Saturday’s 84th running of the $1.25 million, Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park has drawn an outstanding field of six, headlined by the return of Horse of the Year Sovereignty and 2025 Preakness Stakes winner Journalism, who will meet for the third time following their respective first- and second-place finishes in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

White Abarrio, the veteran of the group, will make his 22nd graded/group stakes appearance, and some think he can post an upset.

-- America's Best Racing

Woodbine Opens 71st Racing Season on April 18

The first horse onto the Tapeta track at Woodbine for its 71st racing season on Saturday, April 18, will be the filly Crumlin Trouble, who was co-owned and trained by the late Mike Doyle before she was claimed last summer.

Doyle, who passed away suddenly late last year, would often be a fixture on the opening weekend of Woodbine’s spring season, and he will be missed.

Thirty trainers have entered horses on the first card of the 128-day meeting, including stalwarts Robert Tiller, Tino and Sid Attard, with seven races for both Saturday and Sunday. Post time is 12:20 p.m. CST.

Let's go!

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings - Fappiano Feature

This week, there are two parts to Steve Haskin's column. One is about a dominating force not only in this year’s Kentucky Derby, but in the entire racing and breeding industry, and the story and the genius behind that force.

The second part is a partial update of the Derby Rankings based on new information gathered since last week’s rankings. Stay tuned next week for an in-depth look at the two Japanese horses in this year’s Derby. Could this finally be their year?

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

From the Archives – August 18, 2021

We lost this week’s honouree this past April. This man trained horses at Assiniboia Downs for 35 years, retiring from training in 2009 and leaving the business altogether in 2012. He had some really nice runners! Who remembers Frieda’s Blazer, Lord Little Rock, and Cache Lake? Click here to learn the identity of the “little guy” who had pluck, a kind soul, and a good heart.