Remembering Rick Ball and the Horse Who Floated  

Veteran horseman, elite salesman, sought-after hockey player, part-time singer, and former Assiniboia Downs Track Superintendent Rick Ball passed away quietly in his sleep on November 5, surrounded by family. He was 67.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2026 at Assiniboia Downs, where Rick’s friends and colleagues will gather to remember a man who fell asleep in the stall with his favourite horse Taboga, who sang Elvis on karaoke nights, who made the racing surface safe for five years, and who died…

Talking about the horse he loved. 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.

NFL Picks by TravyFootball

Week 11

Another week, another perfect 3-0 run — that’s now 18-12 on the season. This week, I’m breaking down three matchups that could shake up the NFC playoff picture. One team is desperate to find its offensive rhythm again after back-to-back clunkers, another needs a bounce-back game to keep its postseason hopes alive, and the final showdown could very well decide who grabs the top seed in the conference.

See my week 11 top three picks here.

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

1981 marked only the second time in the history of the Downs that the thoroughbred live meet extended into the chilly month of November. In addition, the 1981 season was the longest ever, spanning 134 days. Pictured here is Bronze Decider, winner of race #2 on the ten-race card—and yes, that’s trainer Clarence Marzolf at the head of the 4-year-old grey gelding. (Gerry Hart photo)

Looking Past the Favourites in the 2025 Chilukki Stakes

The $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) Presented by Resolute Racing at Churchill Downs is the third race on the track’s Nov. 15 card, which also features the 27th running of the Claiming Crown in races four through 11.

A field of seven fillies and mares is set to line up for the Chilukki, contested at one mile on the dirt. It’s a balanced group that blends proven graded stakes performers with rising talents. Handicapper Ben Kudla takes a closer look.

-- America's Best Racing

Well-Travelled Nobals Back to Defend Kennedy Road Crown

Breeders’ Cup winner and defending champion Nobals will face five rivals in the $175,000 bet365 Kennedy Road Stakes (G2), for three-year-olds and up, Saturday at Woodbine. A six-year-old son of Noble Mission (GB) out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, arrives at the six-furlong main track test off a narrow runner-up defeat in the Nearctic Stakes (G2T) at the Toronto oval. 

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

A King is Crowned in Absentia

Despite missing the Breeders' Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty is favoured to win Horse of the Year honours in the United States.

Hall of Fame writer Steve Haskin pointed out this horse as the Kentucky Derby winner long before he became the choice of many. This column is about the impact Sovereignty had on Steve and his family, and, as always, it's a beauty.

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

And now for something completely different. This week our faithful track historian has taken a swing at song-writing and re-worked Tex Ritter’s 1961 hit Hillbilly Heaven. Click here to listen to the Ritter hit then check out Bob’s lyrics for his version of Racetrack Heaven here. (From July 17, 2020)