ASSINIBOIA DOWNS

The Inside Track | Issue #39 | August 4, 2022

DINING

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140 VLTS

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. VLTs, Race Carrels and Tables are sanitized between customer use.

In this edition . . . What's happening at the Downs? Family Fun Days are Back! Diodoro wins record 4th Manitoba Derby Gittens wins Manitoba Strong Award Obituary: Keith Fox Snapshot in Time - All-time Leading Rider Partner Locations Photo of the Week - Derby Cake! Canadian Hall of Fame Inductions Manitoba Racing & Breeding Incentives Carryover Watch Bob: 1972 Manitoba Derby Upcoming Events

HOLI SUMMER FEST THIS SATURDAY! A celebration of Indian Holi - Winnipeg Style! Enjoy music, dancing, performances, and participate in the Festival of Colors! All attendees are supplied with one complimentary powder paint to throw. Extra powder available for purchase. General admission $35, Kids 5 to 12 $18, Under 5 free. Tickets available at Eventbrite.ca or at the door.

Do the Downs!

SPIN TO WIN THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS IN THE CLUB WEST 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.

FREE ASD PROGRAMS ON 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 & trainer stats, photo finishes, 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 - How do I place a bet? What do the odds mean? How do I read the information in the program? If you need answers to the questions above or any other racing questions be sure to stop by the Fan Education Centre on the main floor. Shannon and Brad are there to answer all your questions and maybe help you pick a winner! They can also show you how to open a free betting account at HPIbet.com. The Fan Education Centre is open every race night from 6 p.m. to the end of racing.

CHASE THE ACE - Play Chase the Ace every live race night. Ace of Diamonds wins the $3,260 jackpot. 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. Manitoba Jockey Club license LGCA-5630-RF-34975. Final Furlong is a Manitoba-based charity that helps find good homes for retired racehorses and pony horses. Visit them on Facebook @FinalFurlongCanada.

NEXT ONLINE TOURNAMENT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 8. Deadline to enter is Saturday, August 6 at 1 p.m. ENTRY FEE: $50 which you can reduce to zero by predicting three winners on race cards leading up to the tournament.  QUALIFY DAILY: Qualify every live race day for a reduced entry fee by picking three winners on the ASD race card. Click here for a list of the current qualifiers as of August 3. PRIZES: 1st Place: Trip for two to Las Vegas *, 2nd Place: $500, 3rd Place: $250 For more information, tournament rules and qualifying days please email Sheri at [email protected]. (* The winner of the tournament will be provided $3,500 to book their trip and accommodations to Las Vegas)

FAMILY FUN FROM 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.! Mondays are Family Fun Days in August. Free kids activities from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Bouncy castles, face painting and live kids entertainment. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Free admission and free parking.

Dining at Assiniboia Downs

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER & SNACKS The Club West Dining Room is open daily at 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. for breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks. Our menu includes favourites such as chicken wings, pizza, chipotle mozza burger (pictured), steak sandwich or bacon and eggs plus much more! See the full menu here.

RACE NIGHT PRIME RIB BUFFET Enjoy our fabulous all-you-can-eat Prime Rib buffet every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during live racing! Buffet highlights include signature certified Angus prime rib of beef carvery, seafood table featuring jumbo shrimp and salmon, fresh salads and side dishes prepared with locally grown vegetables plus much more! Complimentary programs and tip sheets are included and the table is yours for the evening. Adults - $47.95, Seniors (65+) - $44.95, Kids 12 & under - $27.95, Kids 5 & under - $14.95 Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330. RACE NIGHT 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. Choose from the Clubhouse a la carte Race Night Menu. The table is yours for the entire evening of racing. Minimum charge $20 per person.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY CHEF'S SPECIALS Friday Top Sirloin Steak - $24.95 - 8 oz top Sirloin charbroiled and seasoned with our smoky dry rub. Served with vegetables and choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday BBQ St. Louis Ribs - $24.95 - Smoky charbroiled ribs with our signature BBQ sauce. Served with vegetables and choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.

At The Post with G.S. Thompson

Red Knobs wins 74th $100,000 Manitoba Derby Trainer Diodoro wins record 4th Derby, ASD fans set new wagering record

Red Knobs wins the 74th running of the $100,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday at Assiniboia Downs. Jorge Carreno in the saddle. (Jason Halstead photo)

What a fabulous Manitoba Derby Day!   Red Knobs won the 74th running of the $100,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday evening at ASD for trainer Robertino Diodoro, owner Rob Nokes and jockey Jorge Carreno, and fans helped ASD set two new wagering records.   Diodoro has won the Manitoba Derby for the fourth time in the past six years, the most by a trainer in the 74-year-history of the race, and also set another Derby record by running 1-2-3 in Manitoba’s most prestigious race.    Fans were treated to a great stretch battle between Red Knobs and his pace setting stablemate Great Escape, with Red Knobs drawing out late to win by 1 ¾-lengths after a hustling ride by Carreno that brought back memories of Julie Krone’s Derby-winning ride aboard No Malice in 1988.   Monday at ASD couldn’t have been any better for Diodoro, who is always among North America’s leading trainers. The 48-year-old Canadian from Alberta also won the 63rd running of the $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile earlier on the card with Soy Tapatio for owner ownership partners Rick, Clayton and Lana Wiest and Gary Kropp. Jockey Rico Walcott, who would later finish a strong second in the Manitoba Derby aboard Great Escape, was up for the win.   “Assiniboia Downs really knows how to treat their owners and trainers,” said Diodoro after the Derby. “And they put on a great show. I love coming here.”

Trainer Robertino Diodoro congratulates jockey Rico Walcott on his victory aboard Soy Tapatio in the 63rd running of the $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile on Monday. (Jason Halstead photo)

Multiple champion Hidden Grace returned to her winning ways on Derby Day with a resounding victory in the 37th running of the $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes with Renaldo Cumberbatch up. Trained by Lise Pruitt for owner/breeders Barry Arnason, Cam Ziprick and Charles Fouillard, and groomed by Richie Ricketts, the Manitoba-bred 6-year-old mare by Going Commando-High Pioneer by Pioneering has now earned over $350,000 from a lifetime record of 16-4-4 in 25 starts. An amazing mare!   Two new wagering records were set thanks to loyal ASD fans, who bet a record $374,166 on the Derby and $3,523,260 on the day, the highest ever on a Manitoba Derby card!   The Derby program was buoyed by the mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5. The carryover was $515k coming into the event and there was $1.65 million in additional money wagered into the pool during the program. The payout for the Pick 5 was $1,920.50 for a 20-cent wager. The $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 also generated over $204,000 in wagering, an all-time high for the track.    “This is my favourite program of the year,” exclaimed CEO Darren Dunn. “We knew this race was going to be competitive and what a battle to the finish! Fans really responded, setting new records for wagering on the day. We are so thankful to the horse people and staff for putting on a fantastic event and for the horseplayers for all their support.    “We couldn’t be happier!”

Groom Richie Ricketts leads star Manitoba-bred mare Hidden Grace out of the winner's circle after her victory in the 37th running of the $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes on Monday. Look at that proud smile! (Jason Halstead photo)

Trainer Devon Gittens wins June Manitoba Strong Award

Presentation to Manitoba Strong winning trainer for June, Devon Gittens. L to R: Manitoba HBPA President Blaine McLaren, Devon Gittens, CTHS Manitoba Director Wayne King and Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn. (Jason Halstead photo)

Congratulations to trainer Devon Gittens, our first ever Manitoba Strong winner! The CTHS, HBPA and MJC have created a new monthly program that recognizes racing performances by Manitoba-breds and their respective trainers. Every time a Manitoba-bred runs, points are awarded on a first through fifth basis, regardless of the class of race. At the end of each month during the summer points are calculated and the winning trainer is presented with $500 cash plus a $200 Gift Card to ASD. Trainer Devon Gittens was the winner of the Manitoba Strong award for June 2022. We’d like to thank everyone who supports racing in Manitoba. This is another example of why it pays to shop local, support local and be Manitoba Strong! Mark your calendar now for August 21, when you’ll be able to shop locally at this year’s Annual CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale and hopefully buy the future stars of 2023 and beyond!

Obituary: Keith Fox

Assiniboia Downs lost a longtime customer and friend on July 14, 2022. Keith Fox loved horse racing and was a fixture at the track for decades. From selling his picks in the 1970s and '80s from the Paddock Bar on the 3rd floor to sitting in his carrel in the racebook - you would be sure to see Keith on a daily basis. His regular routine was to take a bus to Unicity and walk to the track from there. Assiniboia Downs sends our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed! Read Keith's full obituary here.

A Snapshot in Time By Track Historian Bob Gates

No one has ridden more winners at Assiniboia Downs than the man they call "Hank." Ken Hendricks sits atop the Downs jockey leaderboard with 1,666 trips to the winner’s circle. They say that records are made to be broken, but it looks like this one is set in stone, because no one else is even close. Ken rode for 40 years in a total of five decades and participated in 34 meets at the Downs. Hank was widely regarded as the best "go to" guy and "money rider’" at the Downs. The above June 14, 1969 photo of Peaceful Miss was Ken’s (just look at that babyface) first win at the Downs. (Gerry Hart photo).

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE TRACK TO WAGER? Watch and wager at one of our partner locations: Canad Inns Windsor Park - 1034 Elizabeth Road Green Brier Inn - 1611 Main Street Rookies at Central Hotel - 201 Melrose Avenue East Quest Inn - 367 Ellice Avenue McPhillips Station Casino - 484 McPhillips Street Club Regent Casino - 1425 Regent Ave W Nor-Villa Motor Hotel - 1763 Henderson Hwy Wager 24/7 at HPIbet.com OPENING SOON! Club 3D - 3317 Portage Avenue

Photo of the Week

Cutting the cake! Manitoba Derby winning owner Rob Nokes' father Bob, jockey Jorge Carreno, trainer Robertino Diodoro and Derby Belle Francine Fournier. (Sheri Glendinning photo)

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

In The News

Sue Leslie, Vicki Pappas, Mike Keogh Inducted Into Hall of Fame Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame had its first in-person induction ceremony since 2019 on August 3 in Mississauga

Sue Leslie accepts her CHRHF induction from friend Robert Landry, also a Hall member. (Clive Cohen/New Image Media for CHRHF)

Builders Sue Leslie and Vicki Pappas, trainer Mike Keogh, jockey Gary Boulanger, and horses Play the King, Hart to Heart, Not Too Shy and Tepin were among those honoured at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s first in-person ceremony in two years on the evening of August 3. More from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here.

Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Incentives in Manitoba From sponsored races to awards and bonuses, owners and breeders in the province can take advantage of a number of programs.

Manitoba-bred Hidden Grace wins the 37th running of the $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes on Monday with Renaldo Cumberbatch up. The multiple champion has now earned over $350,000.

Owners and breeders of Manitoba-bred thoroughbreds can participate in one of Canada’s most lucrative incentive programs per foal. Manitoba averages about 45 foals per year which are eligible for over $1.1 million in incentives, or $24,480 per foal. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here.

Carryover Watch Del Mar (August 5) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $539,552 Gulfstream (August 5) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $222,085 Monmouth (August 5) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $221,405 Woodbine (August 5) - Super Hi-5 carryover $85,681 See all carryovers here.

Bob's Blog by ASD Historian Bob Gates This year’s Manitoba Derby might be done, but Bob can't say good-bye to Derby stories without revisiting the 1972 edition of the race. Who remembers the victor that year? Hint: He was the son of a Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Queen’s Plate winner. Click here to learn more about the Manitoba Derby memory that turned 50 this year.

Upcoming events at ASD Live Racing every Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday at 7:30 p.m Holi Summer Fest - Saturday, August 6 - more info Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, August 8 - more info Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, August 28 - more info Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, August 29 - more info Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, Sept. 26 - more info

Feedback We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected].

The Inside Track Archives Did you know that past issues of The Inside Track are available on our website? Click here to read them now.

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