NEW SCHEDULE! The Inside Track will now be published on Fridays during the live racing season.

SPIN TO WIN THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS IN THE CLUBWEST GAMING LOUNGE - Enter at the VLT cage every Thursday and Friday for a chance to spin the wheel for up to $100 cash! Draws will be made every 30 minutes starting at noon.

TREMENDOUS TUESDAYS - 4% cash back on all eligible wagering Tuesdays in June. Minimum wagered $100 (each Tuesday). Maximum deposit $25 (each Tuesday). Wagers must be placed on HPI account to qualify. ($2.10 payoffs not included.)

NEW! ASD PLAYER PORTAL - All the important information you need for Assiniboia Downs live racing is now in one place! Watch the live feed and ASD Live handicapping show in HD. Plus free online ASD programs, free Brisnet pps, jockey bios, expert tips from ASD, Canadian Thoroughbred and Horse Racing Nation. Bookmark this page and check back daily as programs and picks will be added as they are available.

FAN EDUCATION CENTRE - If you’re new to racing make sure to stop by and see Shannon and Brad at the Fan Education Centre on the main level during live racing. They are available from 6 p.m. to the end of racing to answer all your questions. Learn how to make a wager, what the odds mean, how to read the racing program and more! And while you're there, they can help you open a free online HPIbet.com account.

CHASE THE ACE - Play Chase the Ace every live race night. Ace of Diamonds wins the jackot which is now $1,572. Other prizes: Either Joker $100, Any other card $25. Tickets are $5 and available at Guest Services from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The draw will be made at 9:30 p.m. Proceeds in support of Final Furlong.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASD - Join us for our birthday celebration on Tuesday, June 7. Highlights include a special display curated by Track Historian Bob Gates, concession specials, draws for wagering vouchers plus one lucky draw winner will receive a Winnipeg Blue Bomber merchandise package. Racing starts at 7:30.

TERRACE DINING ROOM PRIME RIB BUFFET:  Back after a long awaited pandemic hiatus is ASD's delectable all-you-can eat Prime Rib buffet filled with lots of choices including signature classics and what are sure to be your new favourites!

PLAZA DINING: Looking for a more casual dining experience during racing? Tables on the plaza (with a view of the track) are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

FATHER'S DAY BRUNCH: Treat Dad to brunch on his special day! Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for full menu. Adults $44.95, 12 & under $21.95, 5 & under $9.95. For tickets call 204-885-3330.

Strong competitive fields and smooth rides over an exceptionally kind surface resulted in a new opening day record handle on the opening day of the 65^th live race meeting at Assiniboia Downs, as bettors from around the world and on-track pumped $1,151,223 through the wires and windows. Wow! What an opening night!

Also impressive in the nicely paying stakes department was Market King, who faced pressure throughout in the Nifty Overnight Stakes on Tuesday night and called on his back class to hold off a determined Real Grace to win by neck. Claimed by trainer Jared Brown for $10,000 off a fourth-place finish in his last start at Turf Paradise, the one-time Triple Crown trail competitor was all heart under jockey Jorge Carreno and paid $14.40 to win.

Earlier on the Tuesday card, another former claimer, Kim’s Texas Bling, gave three-time training champ Jerry Gourneau his first stakes win of the season in the Electric Fever Overnight Stakes. Claimed for $15,000 out of her last start at Sam Houston Race Park, Kim quickly paid dividends for five-time leading ASD owner Henry S. Witt, Jr. with jockey Chavion Chow in the saddle, winning by 3 1/2-lengths.

Six-time leading trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. was also in a stakes-winning mood on Wednesday, saddling yet another former claimer to win the Lord Balcony Overnight Stakes. Brody’s Streak dueled outside even-money favourite Gold Special under jockey Ronald Ali and drew out through the stretch to win by 2 ¾-lengths for owner Larry S. Henry, paying $10.90.

Three out of the four overnight stakes were won by “price” horses and the riding was smooth and pleasurable through both opening cards, especially that of Renaldo Cumberbatch, who won three races to lead all riders over the first two days. Jorge Carreno, Neville Stephenson, Chavion Chow, and newcomer Leonel Camacho-Flores each won two races to keep it close.

On the trainer front, Jared Brown, Wendy Anderson, and Marvin Buffalo each won two races and Buffalo’s win with wife Deb Buffalo’s Fair Challenge ($17.80) in the third race on Wednesday gets the nod for best late rally of the first two days over a track that played absolutely fair to all running styles.

In summary, the first two days of the 2022 race meeting probably couldn’t have been scripted any better!

Date: Saturday, June 4

Place: Assiniboia Downs

Cocktails: 6 p.m.

Buffet Dinner: 7 p.m.

Awards to follow dinner.

Tickets $45 per person and are available from the CTHS or HBPA.

Do you have a memorable winning bet, a favourite horse, a big contest win, a meal/brunch shared with loved ones and friends, something special that endears you to the Downs? If so we’d love to hear from you! Send us your favourite memory of Assiniboia Downs and you might be selected for the new ASD Making Memories section of the Inside Track! If you have a photo to go with it, send that too! We welcome all submissions!

Do you have an interesting photo or memory you would like showcased in an upcoming newsletter? Email us at [email protected].

Rich Strike, the 80-1 upset winner of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (and daughter of Manitoba-bred Gold Strike), arrived in New York at 1 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday to prepare for the 154th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 11, at Belmont Park. More from the Paulick Report here.

Lester Piggott was without doubt the finest jockey of his generation, and probably of any that has gone before or since. A master tactician with ice in his veins, he had a unique style – his backside high in the air throughout a race before getting down to ride a finish – that has never been matched. Story by Nick Robson at Sporting Life here.