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ISSUE #183 - MAY 9, 2025

Live racing starts this Tuesday, May 13. Free admission & parking!

Live Racing starts this Tuesday, May 13



Live racing returns to Assiniboia Downs this Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.! Enjoy the thrill of the races with free admission and parking, plus an exciting lineup of free family fun starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring the kids early for face painting, bouncy castles, and lively children’s entertainment — it's the perfect way to kick off the live racing season!


Want to watch the Jets game? No worries, we've got you covered! TVs will be showing the Jets game throughout the facility.

2024 ASD Leading Rider Prayven Badrie with his double stakes-winner Blazing Bo in trainer Mike Nault's barn. (George Williams)

Badrie Back! Ready to Defend Title!


Jockey Prayven Badrie is back to defend his 2024 riding title, and he’s ready! But he’ll have quite a bit of competition for top spot when the live race meeting kicks off on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. with the Don Gray Memorial.


There are over 15 jockeys here already and more on the way, with 2024 runner-up Damario Bynoe and three-time champion Antonio Whitehall leading the hungry pack.


And the race for the 2025 trainer title is wide open. 


CLICK HERE to find out why.

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Live Racing Prime Rib Buffet


Reservations are now open for our live racing Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet featuring succulent, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib prepared to perfection, chicken, seafood table, rotating entree selections and much more! Buffet prices: Adults $59.95, Seniors (65+) $54.95, Kids 6 to 12 years old $34.95, Kids 5 & under $22.95.

Click to enlarge photo

A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates


With the 2025 Opening Night just around the corner, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at some memorable moments from past openers. This week’s flashback goes all the way to June 24, 1960—65 years ago—when Great Folly, owned by JY Stable, claimed victory in the third race of the day. The horse was trained by a very young-looking Bill Teske (seen standing behind Mrs. Hardy on the left), with James Vinson aboard in the irons. (Howell family photo)

Sovereignty wins the 151st Kentucky Derby. (Churchill Downs Press)

Sovereignty Wins 151st Kentucky Derby

Trainer Bill Mott gives Godolphin its first Derby win


Blue on blue. Just over 24 hours after his filly Good Cheer won the Kentucky Oaks, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, won his first Kentucky Derby, when Sovereignty brought the Godolphin blue home first in a powerful finish for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado.

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

Hill Road has been listed as the 5/2 second choice in the Peter Pan Stakes on Saturday. (Patrick McCann / Racing Post)

Peter Pan Stakes at a Glance

10 Rivals prep for Belmont Stakes on Saturday


While the Triple Crown races consume most of the oxygen surrounding 3-year-old racehorses every spring, the Peter Pan Stakes this Saturday has served as a stepping stone to the Belmont Stakes for stars including Tonalist in 2014 and Arcangelo in 2023.


This year’s edition drew 10 entrants, including several coming out of prep races on the Triple Crown trail, as well as a handful of promising prospects making their stakes debut at the Belmont at the Big A meet.

-- America's Best Racing

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty has arrived at Saratoga in great shape! (Nellie Carlson / Paulick Report)

Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty

'Came Off The Van Like A Tiger' in Saratoga


Kentucky Derby-winner Sovereignty, who will not contest the Preakness Stakes, arrived early Thursday morning at Saratoga Race Course to begin his preparations for the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 7 at the Spa.


“He came off the van like a tiger,” said Mott, now a two-time Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner after saddling Country House in 2019. “He’s had good energy for a horse that just ran a race like that.”

-- Paulick Report

Celebration of Life


There will be a Celebration of Life for Michael Olito on Monday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at the Howden Community Centre, 1078 Red River Drive, south of St. Norbert. A longtime horse owner at Assiniboia Downs, Michael was also a well-known artist, and there will be a display of his artwork at the Celebration.

Bob's Blog -- Opening Day 2025


We’re back! After a 7½-month break from writing his stories for the Downs history blog, Bob is back at it. This is his first entry of the year, and he has plans for a total of 22 stories this season. This week, the history guy talks about the highlights from 2024, Manitoba Jockey Club news, and what’s in store for the season ahead. He even has an update on the whereabouts of the Downs’ all-time leading trainer, Gary Danelson. Click here for Bob’s inaugural blog story for the 2025 season of live racing.

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