ASSINIBOIA DOWNS

The Inside Track | Issue #169 | Friday, January 31, 2025

DINING
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140 VLTs

ASD Hours

  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
  • VLT machines are sanitized between use

ASD 2025 Live Race Dates

  • Live racing starts Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Click here for schedule.

2025 Horsepeople Info

  • NEW ENHANCED Shipping Incentives - click here
  • Stakes Schedule - click here
  • Stall Application - click here
  • Condition Book #1 (May 13 to June 18) - click here

In this edition . . .

  • What's happening at the Downs?
  • Draws in the VLT Lounge every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
  • There's always a Deal at ASD!
  • 2025 ASD Shipping Incentives Increased For All Regions!
  • Scott Anderson Romps in Player's Choice Tourney
  • Manitoba Stallion Profile: Ami's Holiday
  • Manitoba Stallion Profile: Following Sea
  • Looking For a Special Photo?
  • TravyFootball Conference Recap
  • Wagering, Betting Bonuses & More
  • A Snapshot in Time: Sound the Alarm
  • Captain Cook takes on Mo Quality in Withers Stakes
  • Citizen Bull favoured over four rivals in Robert B. Lewis
  • Holy Bull Stakes Cheat Sheet
  • Best of Bob: The Pride of Canada
  • Upcoming Events
Do the Downs!

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

140 VLTs


More VLTs = More Jackpots! See our recent Jackpot Wins below:

January 29 - Big City 5's - $1,019

January 26 - Wild Life - $1,071

Janaury 26 - Viracocha - $1,009

January 26 - Poker - $1,250

January 25 - Big City 5's - $1,250

ASD is the place to be every Friday, Saturday & Sunday night! A Free Draw for $200 Cash plus a chance to Spin the Lucky Wheel to win up to $100!

Cash Draws


Spin the Cash Wheel every Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel to win up to $100 cash. Draws from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's free to enter!


Free draws for $200 Cash every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Join us in the VLT Lounge every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a chance to win $200 cash. The free draw for $200 cash will take place at 9 p.m.



Dinner specials, drink specials and a chance to win some cash! It doesn't get any better than that!

Valentine's Dinner & Dance

Friday, February 14


Treat your special someone to a night out or grab your friends and enjoy our amazing Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by dancing until 11 p.m. See full menu here.


Tickets are $59.95 per person (plus taxes & gratuities).


Limited tickets are available - order yours today by calling 204-885-3330.


There's Always a Deal at ASD!

$11.95 Daily Lunch Specials

Daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each day of the week will feature a daily food item as outlined below.

  • Mondays: Jalapeno Chicken Parm Sandwich
  • Tuesdays: Downs Burger
  • Wednesdays: Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato
  • Thursdays: Taco Salad
  • Fridays: Crispy Chicken Ranch Wrap
  • Saturdays: Western Omelette
  • Sundays: Hot Beef Sandwich

Happy Hour

Daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.

Drink Specials

  • 6 oz. House Wine - $5.50
  • House Spirits - $5.50
  • Domestic Beer - $5.50
  • House Lager Pint - $6.00
  • Downs Caesar - $7.00

Appetizer Specials

  • Sweet Potato Fries - $8.95
  • Chicken Fingers - $8.95
  • Cheese Nachos - $8.95
  • Pot Stickers - $8.95

Spirit Hour

Nightly from 11 p.m. to Midnight


  • House Vodka - $4
  • Rye - $4
  • Gin - $4
  • Rum - $4
  • Spiced Rum - $4


Evening Chef's Specials

Daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Reservations are not required.

  • Mondays: Chicken Finger Dinner $14.95 - Crispy breaded chicken tenders served with our famous honey dill dip. Served with fries and coleslaw. 


  • Tuesdays: 20% Off all regular priced food items.


  • Wednesdays: Pizza $15.95 - 12-inch thin crust pizza. Ham & Pineapple, Pepperoni & Mushroom or Vegetarian (tomatoes, onions, peppers, black olives & mushrooms).


  • Thursdays: Chipotle Mozza Burger $15.95 - Our signature chuck patty and crispy bacon smothered in melted mozzarella. Topped with fresh sliced tomato, fried onion rings, chipotle mayo and sweet bold barbecue sauce.


  • Fridays: Steak & Suds $29.95 - 8 oz. NY Striploin charbroiled and seasoned with our smoky dry rub. Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Plus a complimentary pint of ASD Lucky Lager.


  • Saturdays: Prime Rib & Wine $29.95 - 8 oz. Certified Angus Prime Rib. Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries, horseradish, and Yorkshire pudding au jus. Plus a complimentary 6 oz. glass of house wine.



  • Sundays: Fish & Chips $16.95 - Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.

ASD 2025 Shipping Incentives Increased For All Regions!

Assiniboia Downs has just announced that shipping incentives have been increased across the board in Canada and the USA for the 2025 season! "We're very pleased to make this important upgrade to our program," said ASD CEO Darren Dunn. "We continue to value the horsepeople that choose Assiniboia Downs as their trusted place to race."


Stay tuned for more updates by visiting the Horsepeople Info page at ASDowns.com!

Scott Anderson Romps in Player's Choice

HBPA President and longtime owner has been playing horses for three decades

Third-generation horseplayer and Manitoba HBPA president Scott Anderson won the Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament last Saturday by a huge margin, and he didn't even need his final pick to win.


Even more impressive was that he went winless on his first six selections.


It was the second win in the tourney for Anderson, who built his bankroll to $125.90 to take home the trophy and $1,000. Anderson's total was $31.20 more than his nearest rival, runner-up Alex Chubinski ($94.70), followed by Bryan Metcalfe ($82.20), Janet Gray ($81.80), and Glen Gray ($76.40), in what turned out to be another tough tournament day for longshots.


Anderson secured his victory with back-to-back longshots in races eight and nine at Gulfstream Park. He hit Little Vic ($18.30, $9.60, $5.00) in the eighth race and Dashman ($39.10, $17.90, $10.00) in the ninth, later discovering he still had one bet left to make - though he didn't need it. No one was closing in on him.


Six picks into the tournament, the 54-year-old livestock dealer from Lorette, Manitoba hadn't found a winner. "I just went swinging for the fences," said Anderson, and his company-line analysis of Little Vic proved perfect. "He just got beat by White Abarrio in his previous race. So I thought, that's a pretty nice horse, and these horses aren't as good as that." And they weren’t.


When Dashman loaded into the gate at 35-1, Anderson had second thoughts. "I thought I must be a fool to be betting a 35-1 shot." But he trusted the connections of trainer Brian Lynch and jockey Florent Geroux, the price dropped to 19-1 by post time, and Anderson's faith was rewarded when Dashman got a perfect trip, laying off two duelers before taking command in the stretch.


Horse racing runs deep in Anderson's blood. His father Barry serves on the Manitoba Jockey Club board, and their family has campaigned horses for three generations in Manitoba. Old photographs in the family collection show their runners winning at Whittier Park and Polo Park.


Anderson learned to handicap as a teenager, making two-dollar bets with handicapping friends Bob Pistawka and Randy Smith. Like many young racing fans in the 1980s, he scoured the grounds at the track looking for discarded tickets. "My biggest win was $2,250 on a Pick-4 ticket that I found," he said. "I found it after the first leg, and it was actually two live tickets. I got beat in a photo or I would have had it twice."


Anderson's tournament success comes from a straightforward philosophy: "Go with your heart,” he said. “Don't watch the odds. And don't be sucked into betting favourites." He relies mainly on high percentage trainers, good riders, and trip handicapping. "If there's lots of speed in the race and you've got a closer, especially if it's a bit of a longshot, that’s probably the right play."


While browsing his collection of handicapping books, Anderson recently found wisdom in an unexpected source, a 1958 volume called "Handicapping to Win" by Herbert Stone. "There were no speed figures back then," said Anderson. "Just chapters on class, turn of foot, things like that." The timeless importance of turn of foot - a horse's ability to accelerate quickly - remains as crucial to winning today as it was 65 years ago.


This wasn't Anderson's first big score in tournament play. Twenty-five years ago, he was in contention during a two-day tournament at Assiniboia Downs when duty called. "I had to go play hockey, so I left my father-in-law in charge to make my bets," he said. "He played a horse named Keeper Hill, who went off at 99-1, with all the money I had left in my account.” The horse won Anderson the tournament, and the first prize included a trip to the Florida Derby.


These days, Anderson operates Winnipeg Livestock Sales in Rosser, just down the road from the track. He has campaigned horses at the Downs for decades, including hard-knocking runners like Stevie Mack and the enigmatic Orange Theory, who never won at Assiniboia Downs, but was victorious in a $50,000 stakes race in Alberta and also placed second in a $100,000 stakes race there. He’ll have two horses at the Downs this year with his partners.


Anderson has been playing in the latest rendition of the handicapping tournament, which takes place online using an HPIBet.com account, for the past three years. Tournament coordinator Sheri Glendinning earns high praise from Anderson for providing all the necessary past performances and program information. "She does an exceptional job," he said. "One hundred percent."


The next Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament is scheduled for February 22nd. As for the $1,000 winner's share from Saturday's tournament? "It's already in my top drawer," Anderson laughed. "I'll just keep chiseling away at it until it's gone." Or until he wins...


Again.

Manitoba Stallion Profiles

Ami's Holiday, Following Sea

Today we begin profiling Manitoba stallions that have registered for the lucrative stallion and breeding programs offered by CTHS Manitoba. We'll start with Ami's Holiday and Following Sea, both graded stakes winners, and one who is already a proven sire. There will be an excellent selection of stallions to choose from this spring for Manitoba mare owners!

Manitoba Stallion Profile: Ami's Holiday

(Harlan's Holiday-Victorious Amy by Victory Gallop)

Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday-Victorious Amy by Victory Gallop)

A multiple Black Type Graded stakes winner on all-weather and turf and graded stakes placed on dirt, Ami’s Holiday offers Manitoba breeders access to a prolific sire line.


By sire of sires Harlan's Holiday, whose son Into Mischief is the six-time reigning Champion General Sire in North America with progeny including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Citizen Bull, Ami's Holiday brings significant sire power to Manitoba.


Harlan's Holiday sired 93 black-type winners including champion and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Shanghai Bobby. On the dam side, Ami's Holiday is out of stakes winner Victorious Ami, making him a half-brother to Canadian champion Ami's Mesa, who earned $706,148 and placed second in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).


On the track, Ami's Holiday proved both versatile and tough, earning $817,773 while competing at the highest levels in Canada. His signature victories came in the Grey Stakes (G3) at two and the 12-furlong Breeders' Stakes on turf at three. He also finished second in the Queen's Plate, third in the Prince of Wales Stakes, and hit the board in multiple graded stakes including the Ontario Derby (G3), and Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.


From 102 foals to date, Ami's Holiday has sired 43 winners (42%) and two black-type winners plus five black-type placed runners from 64 starters. His progeny have earned over $3.1 million, averaging nearly $50,000 per starter. His top performer H C Holiday ($267,742) placed in both the Queen's Plate and Plate Trial Stakes, while stakes winners Jim's Hope and Bossy Holiday have found success in Ontario-restricted company.


For more information about breeding to Ami's Holiday contact Wayne King at 2 Points Ranch at (204) 781-0045.

Ami's Holiday wins the 2013 Grey Stakes at Woodbine.

Ami's Holiday wins the 2013 Grey Stakes at Woodbine.

Manitoba Stallion Profile: Following Sea

(Runhappy-Quick Flip by Speightstown)

Following Sea wins the 2021 Vosburgh Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. (Coglianese Photos)

Grade 2 winner Following Sea brings high-level racing credentials to Manitoba for the 2025 breeding season.


An $855,620 earner, Following Sea combines elite bloodlines with proven Grade 1 class. The son of champion sprinter Runhappy earned his signature victory in the 2021 Vosburgh Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, while also placing in four Grade 1 events including the Haskell Stakes, Cigar Mile, Breeders' Cup Sprint, and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.


"Following Sea is great looking and an outstanding mover," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He had tons of speed."


Following Sea's sire Runhappy was one of the most brilliant sprinters of his generation, setting a track record of 1:08.58 in winning the 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The Eclipse Award-winning sprinter also captured the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1) during a career that saw him earn $1,496,250 without ever racing on Lasix.


Following Sea represents a significant addition to the Western Canadian stallion ranks. "This is an incredible stallion prospect to stand in Manitoba," noted Derek MacKenzie of Vinery Sales. "I would expect mares to travel within Manitoba to him, and for breeders to send mares from other Western provinces and most likely some from Ontario and the USA as well."


Following Sea stands at Rivard Stables in St. Eustache, Manitoba. For breeding information and bookings, contact Garry Naherniak at (204) 821-5594.

Following Sea finishes third in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Following Sea (#1) finishes third in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) after some trouble at the top of the stretch. 

Looking for a Special Photo of Your Big Horse or...?

Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for

Jockey Renaldo Cumberbatch was all smiles after winning the $50,000 La Verendrye Stakes aboard Spitten Kitten on June 25, 2024 at ASD for trainer Marvin Buffalo and his ownership partners, wife Debbie, and Arnold Souster. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

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 😊

Top NFL Picks by TravyFootball Conference Recap


Eagles Over Commanders: Clearly, nobody on the Commanders football team reads my weekly football articles because, for the past few weeks, I couldn't stress enough how important it is not to turn the ball over. It was pretty foreshadowing from the start that Washington was going to be in trouble when they had to convert two fourth downs on their first drive and only settled for a field goal. How did the Eagles respond? Just a casual 60-yard touchdown run by Saquon Barkley on their first play. At that point, I knew the game was already over.


The Commanders' defence had absolutely no answer for the Eagles' offence, and then the turnovers started happening. In the end, Philly had seven total rushing touchdowns and crushed Washington 55-23. The last time any conference championship team scored at least 50 points was the 1990 Buffalo Bills.


I will give kudos to Washington for having a good season, considering they were the second-worst team in the league a year ago, and their future looks pretty bright with Jayden Daniels at the helm.


Chiefs Over Bills: How does that old saying go? "The more things change, the more they stay the same"—because Patrick Mahomes always wins in the end. Something like that. Maybe I got a few of the words wrong, but my point still stands.


This was supposed to be the year that one of these other QBs was finally going to dethrone the king, but after all was said and done, the Chiefs stood tall, and their quest to complete the three-peat is in its final step.


This game started out rough for Josh Allen. On the first drive, he threw two balls that really should have been interceptions. After punting the ball to Kansas City, they marched 90 yards down the field for a touchdown to open the scoring. From that point on, it was pretty evenly matched, with both teams exchanging touchdowns and field goals, but Buffalo failing to convert on fourth down (depending on who you ask) and missing their two-point attempts made the difference.


They still had a chance on a fourth down where Allen had to heave the ball in desperation due to having two defenders in his face right off the snap, but Dalton Kincaid couldn't haul it in. I know everyone—or at least most people—can't stand the Chiefs for a multitude of reasons, but I, for one, appreciate how they have managed to stay dominant for such a long period. Not since the 2000s Patriots has there been a team to make it to the Super Bowl on a regular basis.


Last Week: 2-0

Playoffs Overall: 7-1

Wager on Top Tracks

Watch and wager on world class racing from the comfort of your private carrel in our race book located on the 2nd level of the grandstand. The race book is open daily at 10 a.m. Can't make it to the track? Watch and wager at HPIbet.com or one of our off-track betting locations listed below.


Carryover Watch


Click here for carryovers.

Can't make it to the track to wager?


Vist one of our off-track betting locations:


Be sure to stop by the Canad Inns Windsor Park, Green Brier Inn and Quest Inn every Saturday afternoon. A draw will be held at each location for $25 in wagering vouchers!

Player Rewards & Cash Back Program


Earn Points: Earn points for all your wagering when you swipe your HPI card or wager on HPIbet.com. Click here for more information.


Earn Cash Bonuses: Betting bonus cash is earned at four different wagering levels in addition to regular HPIbet rewards points earned. Bonus calculations are available on payouts of $2.20 and above. Maximum weekly bonus deposit $1,000. Click here for more information.

Handicapping Tournaments


Player's Choice Tournaments



  • Player’s Choice – Saturday, February 22
  • Player’s Choice – Saturday, March 29
  • Player’s Choice – Saturday, April 26


$1,750 up for grabs! Entry fee $25. Entrants pick 10 races from any thoroughbred, harness or quarter horse track that is racing on the contest day. A $2 WPS wager is placed on one horse from each race. The entrant with the highest bankroll is the winner.

Road to the Kentucky Derby



  • Feb. 1 - Holy Bull (GP) - 20 points
  • Feb. 1 - Robert B. Lewis (SA) - 20 points
  • Feb. 1 - Withers (Aqu) - 20 points
  • Feb. 8 - Sam F. Davis (Tam) - 20 points
  • Feb. 15 - Risen Star (FG) - 50 points
  • Feb. 16 - Sunland Derby - 20 points
  • Feb. 22 - Rebel (OP) - 50 points


See leaderboard here.

"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group

The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will resume play on Saturday, Feb. 8.

A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates

Sound the Alarm is pictured above winning on August 20, 1975, for the late June Sifton, with Joannie Phipps aboard. How many of you remember this mare? She was a well-bred horse with Princequillo blood on her sire’s side and War Admiral blood on her dam’s side. Sound the Alarm was one of the many jewels from the Sifton’s Stoneacres Farm. (Photo by Gerry Hart).

Captain Cook to Get First Stakes Test in Withers

Smarty Jones Stakes runner-up Mo Quality could upset favourite on Saturday

Mo Quality, shown here breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs, has been listed as the co-second choice at 3-1 in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday. (Coady Media)

Captain Cook has been made the morning-line favourite in Saturday's $250,000 Withers Stakes on the strength of a 9 1/4-length maiden score after a trainer switch to Richard Dutrow, Jr. but he might have his hooves full with Mo Quality, who finished a strong second to Coal Battle in the Smarty Jones Stakes. And he has five additional rivals to deal with. More from the Blood Horse here.

Tip Sheet: 2025 Robert B. Lewis Stakes

Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner favoured over 4 rivals, Baffert saddles three

Citizen Bull wins at Del Mar. (Benoit Photo)

A compact field of five including 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Citizen Bull will go at it in Saturday's $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), all seeking to grab their share of the 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby points offered. The three favourites in the race are all trained by Bob Baffert, including Citizen Bull. Can he be beat? Read what handicapper John Mucciolo has to say about the race at TwinSpires here.

Holy Bull Stakes Cheat Sheet

Favourite Ferocious gets blinkers on for his 3-year-old debut, faces six rivals

Horses break from the starting gate in the 2024 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. (Ryan Thompson / Coglianese Photo)

The $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) this Saturday at Gulfstream Park is a must-watch Kentucky Derby prep that offers qualifying points for the 151st Derby to the top five finishers, distributed on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. This race has been an important prep through the years, not only in producing Kentucky Derby winners including Go for Gin in 1994, Funny Cide in 2003, and Barbaro in 2006, but other stars of the sport such as White Abarrio, the 2022 victor who won last weekend’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. Get the rundown on the field from America's Best Racing here.

The Best of Bob

by ASD Historian Bob Gates


From May 28, 2019: From Cheap Punch Line to the Pride of Canada


This week, Bob shares the heartfelt story of a racehorse who was an “ignominious failure” but found new purpose as an equestrian athlete. You’ll be inspired by this rags-to-riches tale that culminates at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Click here for the reveal.

Upcoming Events at ASD



  • Free draws every Friday Night - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A free draw for $200 cash will also take place at 9 p.m. - more info
  • Free draws every Saturday Night - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A free draw for $200 cash will also take place at 9 p.m. - more info
  • Free draws every Sunday Night - Enter for a chance to spin the lucky Cash Wheel starting at 6 p.m. A free draw for $200 cash will also take place at 9 p.m. - more info
  • Prairie Strides Market - Friday, February 1 & Saturday, February 2 - more info
  • Valentine's Dinner & Dance - Friday, February 14 - more info
  • Manitoba Tattoo Expo - Friday, February 21 to Sunday, February 23 - more info
  • Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament - Saturday, February 22 - more info

Feedback & Inside Track Archives

We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to theinsidetrack@ASDowns.com.


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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