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.

Palmer Squeezes Out Player's Choice Win on the Strength of a $68 Horse

Kevin Palmer won the February Player's Choice contest in a squeaker last Saturday, besting Jeff Rozmus by $1.20, and he did it on the strength of a major cap horse.

He loves horses at 8-1 or better, and his strategy wasn't much different from that of Rozmus', but he hit a vaunted “Cap” horse at Aqueduct to secure the win.

As for what he plans to do with the $1,000 first prize?

"Probably gamble some of it," said Palmer.

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. 7 - Tampa Bay Derby - 50 points
• Mar. 7 - San Felipe (SA) - 50 points
• Mar. 14 - Virginia Derby (CNL) - 50 points
• Mar. 21 - Jeff Ruby Steaks (TP) - 100 points
• Mar. 21 - Louisiana Derby (FG) - 100 ponits
• Mar. 28 - Arkansas Derby (OP) - 100 points
• Mar. 28 - Florida Derby (GP) - 100 points
• Mar. 28 - UAE Derby (MEY) - 100 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

How about featuring some early winners at the Downs? Let’s kick things off with what I think will likely be an unfamiliar horse for a very familiar trainer at our West End oval. Who knew that Sparkling Wit was A. E. “Bert” Blake’s first win at the Downs? Here is “Wit” winning for the Blakes on June 23, 1958. (Blake family photo).

Noel’s Weekend Winners: Spotlight on Santa Anita for Big ’Cap Day

Santa Anita Park will host one of the headline days of racing and wagering of its current winter meet this Saturday on Santa Anita Handicap Day.

The big day features an 11-race program with four graded stakes including the Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) and the San Felipe Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old hopefuls on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. 

Noel Michaels takes a closer look at two of the important stakes and smokes out a 6-1 shot.

-- America's Best Racing

Jockey Club of Canada Announces Top Groom, Media Finalists - ASD Photographer Jason Halstead Makes Finals!

Local photographer Jason Halstead is among the nominees for the 2025 Sovereign Award for Outstanding Photograph! Congratulations Jason!

Jason was nominated for his photo of horses racing under the harvest moon at Assiniboia Downs on September 9 last year. 

The winner in each of the three Media Sovereign Award categories will be announced, along with the other Sovereign Award winners and Canada’s Horse of the Year, during the 51st Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony on the evening of Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Paramount Eventspace in Woodbridge, Ontario.



-- Canadian Thorougbred

2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings - Week 7

If you thought last weekend's Derby preps were going to clear up the Kentucky Derby picture, you'd be wrong.

Steve Haskin now has eight horses in his Derby rankings that could be in the top spot. You can rank them all anywhere in the top eight and make a case for them.

None of them stand out right now, and every one has a legitimate chance of being favoured to win the Derby. This week's analysis is where Steve's "brain waves" were when he sent them in. His words.

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

Back in August 2019, Bob sat down with a man who used to gallop horses at both Whittier Park and Polo Park. In addition, he was an outrider here at the Downs in the 1960s. The Clares ran one of those mom-and-pop stables for more than 30 years and were married for 70 years. Bob shares the story of Marge and Vic Clare here.