The Inside Track | Issue #151 | September 27, 2024 | |
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ASD Hours
- Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- VLT machines are sanitized between use
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Assiniboia Downs is Open-Year Round
- 140 VLTs open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Free games for cash prizes!
- Wagering on top tracks from North America & Europe
- Daily Happy Hour, $11.95 lunch specials and full dining menu
- Facility rentals
- Special events
Go to ASDowns.com for a complete list of upcoming events and specials.
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In this edition . . .
- What's happening at the Downs?
- Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament
- Daily Draws for Cash in VLT Lounge
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Chef's Weekend Specials
- Second-Highest Wagering Total in ASD History
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- TravyFootball Week 4
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot in Time: Merry's Jay
- Breeders' Stakes Completes Canadian Triple Crown
- Road to the 2024 Breeders' Cup
- May Day Ready Attempts to Stay Perfect in Miss Grillo
- Best of Bob: The Man Who Built Question Mark Farm
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Player's Choice Tournaments
- Player’s Choice – Saturday, October 19
- Player’s Choice – Saturday, November 23
- Player’s Choice – Saturday, December 28
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.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $1,000 plus trophy
- 2nd Place: $400
- 3rd Place: $200
- 4th Place: $100
- 5th Place: $50
2024 Tournament Winners:
- Player's Choice - Saturday, January 20 - Winner: Ron Phelps
- Player's Choice - Saturday, February 17 - Winner: Trevor Phelps
- Player's Choice - Saturday, March 16 - Winner: Don Allard
- Player's Choice - Saturday, April 13 - Winner: Myron Fedoruk
- Player's Choice - Saturday, May 11 - Winner: Kevin Arnst
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, June 17 - Winner: Darcy Penner
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 8 - Winner: Brittany Jonatanson
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 12 - Winner: Ken Porter
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 2 - Winner: Paul Gray
- Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 23 – Winner: Will be confirmed and announced on Friday, September 26
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HPI Bonuses
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Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29 - Earn 2% cash back when you wager $100 or more on any track(s) during the above period. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum cash back $25. ($2.10 payouts not included). All wagers must be placed on your HPIbet account and you must opt-in.
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Join us today in the Club West Gaming Lounge and discover why we're the ultimate destination for VLT entertainment in the area!
Premier Amenities
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Spacious Area: Our gaming lounge provides ample room for you to relax and enjoy your gaming experience comfortably.
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Sanitization: VLT machines are sanitized between use.
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Great Customer Service: Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing top-notch service, ensuring your visit is enjoyable from start to finish.
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Licensed Lounge: Sip on your favourite drinks from our licensed lounge while you play.
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Food & Drink: Indulge in delicious food and drinks available right in the gaming lounge.
Daily Draws for Cash
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Lucky Stars: Enter for a chance to pick a Lucky Star for up to $100 cash. Lucky Stars will be played at various times throughout the day/night.
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Lucky Spins: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enter for a chance to win $20 in free VLT spins. Keep what you win!
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There's Always a Deal at ASD! | |
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$11.95 Daily Lunch Specials
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks from our Club West Dining Room menu or try our ever changing $11.95 lunch special.
Happy Hour
Daily from 3 p.m. to 5 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
All of the above specials are dine-in only and are subject to applicable taxes.
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Weekend Chef's Specials
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Experience culinary excellence every night with our Chef’s specials! Elevate your evening and treat yourself tonight. Not only are our Chef’s specials tasty but they are also a great value.
As a special bonus, everyone who orders one of the Chef’s specials will receive a game card to play “Pick to Win” in our Club West Gaming Lounge. Pick the green poker chip and you can spin our cash wheel to win up to $100 cash!
Our Chef’s specials are available daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.
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Friday 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.
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Saturday Prime & Wine $29.95 - Certified Angus Prime Rib (8 oz. cut.) 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.
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Sunday Fish & Chips $14.95 - Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.
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Thanksgiving Buffet
Sunday, October 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Indulge in a mouthwatering array of traditional Thanksgiving favourites including roast turkey with gravy, baked ham in cream sauce, locally made perogies and meatballs plus all the trimmings, autumn vegetables, mashed potatoes and fresh salads. The dessert table features warm pie and ice cream, ASD’s bourbon bacon brownie and more!
- Adults - $39.95
- Seniors (65+) - $35.95
- Children 6 to 12 - $29.95
- Children 5 & under - $16.95
- Above prices are subject to taxes
Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330 ext. 0. This event is filling up quickly so don't miss out and call today!
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Second-Highest Wagering Total in ASD History
2024 betting tops $62 million, Crowds reminiscent of the 1970s,
| Longshot Adam's Creed ($63.30) wins the fifth race on Monday for trainer Rick Wise. Ronald Ali up. (Danielle Langlois / Assiniboia Photo) | |
Assiniboia Downs wrapped up an exciting and challenging 2024 racing season on Tuesday with yet another fabulous crowd that had many thinking back to the 1970s, and finished with a total wagering handle of $62,130,464 over the 50 days of racing -- the second-highest wagering total in the track’s storied history.
The final day of racing was highlighted by a mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5, which had a $236,529 carryover heading into the program. The wagering public responded strongly, adding $1.235 million in new money to the pool. The $1 payout for the Pick 5 was $1,765 for those holding the winning combination. Total wagering for the day reached $2,613,033.
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L to R: 2024 Leading Rider Prayven Badrie, ASD CEO Darren Dunn, 2024 Leading Trainer Lee Delaronde. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The season began on a high note but was faced with the unexpected challenge of a precautionary 45-day quarantine due to an equine virus. This led to a revised racing calendar to accommodate for that while fulfilling its commitment to a 50-day meet. Despite the challenges, the track set a record for wagering on the Manitoba Derby card on August 5 just as the quarantine lifted, with $3,743,784 wagered.
“We are delighted with the results from the season,” said Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs. “We had a great start to the season and had to make some pretty significant changes to ensure the highest quality product we could deliver was put forward for our valued customers. We are so thankful to all of the fans, horse people, and staff that adjusted with us and delivered a season to be proud of, setting another near-record wagering year in the process.”
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Young people showed up at the track in droves in 2024, continuing a trend that has lasted over a decade now. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Jockey Prayven Badrie was crowned the leading jockey with 53 wins, 10 more than Damario Bynoe (43), followed by three-time leading rider Antonio Whitehall (40), Ronald Ali (34) and talented new apprentice Rachaad Knights (34). It was the second riding title at ASD for Badrie, and his first title outright. In 2018 Badrie tied for top spot with Whitehall. Both Bynoe and Whitehall gave it their best shot and kept Badrie on his toes throughout the season. Whitehall also notched his 500th win at ASD in the first race on Monday aboard El Muzn for trainer Ryan Desjarlais.
Lee Delaronde won his first-ever training title at ASD with 40 wins, finishing 16 victories in front of Jared Brown (24) and Mike Nault (24), followed by Wendy Anderson (21) and Devon Gittens (21). And owner Henry S. Witt, Jr. continued his dominating multi-year reign at the top of the owner standings with 46 wins and US$445,845 in purse earnings, followed by A2 Thoroughbreds, A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds, Wind Dancer Stable and Railside Stable.
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Antonio Whitehall notched win number 500 at ASD in the the first race on Tuesday aboard El Muzn for trainer Ryan Desjarlais. Congratulations Antonio! (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Manitoba-bred No Show No Call led all horses in the earnings department with US$77,137 followed by Gee I’m Foxy (US$72,133), Spitten Kitten ($US68,041), Blazing Bo (US$64,506) and Manitoba-bred Mechanic Susie (US$63,847).
We’ll have more on the top horse performances of the year in the next few issues of The Inside Track, but immediate honourable mentions go to Bricklayer, a former $30,000 claimer who went from last to first to win the 76th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby for owner/trainer Larry Gourneau, Jr., and Magic Tiger, who became only the seventh horse in Assiniboia Downs history to win two consecutive Gold Cups, for trainer Wendy Anderson and her ownership partners Wind Dancer Stables and Bill Meikle.
| Trainer Wendy Anderson and jockey Ronald Ali teamed up to help Magic Tiger become just the seventh horse in ASD history to win back-to-back Gold Cups. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
The 2024 season also saw Assiniboia Downs implement another wave of horseplayer-focused initiatives including full 1% takeout reductions on the Exactor, Double, Triactor, Superfecta, Pick 3, Jackpot Pick 5, and the Classic Hi-5. Rolling Doubles were also introduced on every card.
Assiniboia Downs also became one of the first tracks in North America to eliminate the run-up to the start on all distances and races, utilizing the Equibase GPS System, in partnership with Total Performance Data and Gmax Technology Ltd., providing more precise timing and distances.
Kirt and Stretch continued to attract bettors from around the world with their thoroughly entertaining ASD Live Show, which ranks as one of the best handicapping shows on the Internet thanks to their insightful commentary and selections. They even cashed a few big show parlays!
The HBPA Membership Memorial Race was run as the final race of the meeting, in recognition of members lost in 2024, which included Connie Clauson, Sandy Korchinski, Shaun Morin, Jean McEwen, Valerie Brown, Lynn White, Marie White and Sydney Buffalo.
All, will be fondly remembered.
|  | Another excellent season of live racing comes to an end at Assiniboia Downs. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
Looking for a Special Photo of Your Big Horse or...?
Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for
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Trainer Madison Tirk (right) gets a hug after winning the third race on Monday with Lucky Appeal, her first ever win at Assiniboia Downs as a trainer. Congratulations Madison! (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 Week 4
49ers over Patriots (Sunday afternoon): It's been a real rough last couple of weeks for me, and the 49ers. Losing to the Vikings felt bad enough, but losing to the Rams is even more of a gut punch. To make matters worse, the players themselves seem to be dropping like flies due to injuries. Christian McCaffrey, who hasn't suited up for a game this season due to Achilles tendinitis, flew all the way to Germany last weekend to get stem cell injections to help rid himself of this nagging problem. Whether it works or not, who knows, but it has prolonged his return until at least December. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Javon Hargrave, and even Brock Purdy are dealing with various degrees of injuries. Having said all that, I still think they will beat the Patriots. I'm not sure if the Pats will roll with Jacoby Brissett one more week, or turn to their rookie QB Drake Maye to try and provide a spark to the offense, either way, I don't think it will matter in the end who's under center for them.
Saints over Falcons (Sunday noon): After handling the Panthers and Cowboys with ease during the first couple weeks of the season, the Saints were brought back to reality last week against the Eagles. It wasn't the prettiest game to watch as it was only 3-0 heading into the 4th quarter. Derek Carr reverted back to the guy we are familiar with, going 14 of 25 for 142 with one touchdown and one interception. I don't think he'll play that poorly again against the Falcons though. Speaking of the Falcons, a lot was said about the last couple of drives they had against the Chiefs on Sunday night. It was clearly pass interference on Kyle Pitts in the end zone, but from the officials view, he thought otherwise. Even ignoring that, the Falcons had another shot after getting the ball back with 2 minutes left, got all the way to the Chiefs three-yard line, and still couldn't punch it into the endzone, and that had NOTHING to do with refs. In fact, if it wasn't for three penalties on the Chiefs, the Falcons never would have been in scoring position to try and win the game.
Dolphins over Titans (Monday night): It was painful to watch the Dolphins offense try to operate with Skylar Thompson at the helm. When Tua went down in 2022 with a concussion, Skylar didn't fill in very well for him back then either, so why they didn't feel the need to upgrade the backup QB situation since then is beyond me. Thompson was beat up so bad by the Seahawks last week even he ended up having to leave the game due to injury and was replaced by Tim Boyle. I don't know who is going to end up starting at QB for them, but running the ball more might relieve some of the pressure. Reeling from a loss at the hands of their former QB Malik Willis, the Titans are finding out that life with current QB Will Levis is difficult. He has become a turnover machine to the point where you can basically pencil him in for at least one interception a game. If he doesn't stop doing that, he's going to find himself on the bench instead of on the field. I'm going to predict right now the Dolphins defense will score a defensive touchdown due to Levis fumbling the ball, or throwing a pick 6, like he did last week against the Packers.
Last week: 1-2
Season overall: 5-4
| 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? Visit one of our partner locations listed below or wager at HPIbet.com. Click here for a list of tracks to wager on. |
- Woodbine (September 27) - Super High Five Jackpot carryover $46,616
- Parx Racing (September 30) - Pick 5 Jackpot carryover $43,829
- Parx Racing (September 30) - Pick 5 Jackpot carryover $35,669
- Woodbine (September 27) - Pick 6 Jackpot carryover $18,950
See all carryovers here.
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Can't make it to the track to wager?
Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:
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"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group | |
The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be meeting every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the plaza in the Clubhouse. This week's tracks will be Woodbine & Santa Anita. Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please email Larry. | |
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
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On October 8, 1978 Hugh Jackson and Clayton Gray combined to win the 21st running of the Gold Cup. Merry’s Jay duked it out with Island Fling in what boiled down to a match race with "MJ" prevailing by a head. It was the first time a Manitoba-bred had won the classic race for older horses at the Downs. The win gave Clayton Gray and rider Ken Hendricks their record-setting third win in the Cup. (Gerry Hart photo) | |
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Prince of Wales winner Vitality, filly Hurricane Clair, main contenders in marathon
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Jose Campos guides Vitality to victory in the 89th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes.Vitality is owned by Stronach Stables and trained by Harold Ladouceur. (Michael Burns Photo) | |
Canadian horse racing’s final classic of the season, the prestigious Breeders’ Stakes worth $400,000 and run at 1 1/2-miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, is set for this Sunday. The 134th edition of the race, the final jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown is topped by Prince of Wales Stakes winner Vitality and Wonder Where Stakes winner Hurricane Claire. More from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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Trainer Chad Brown brings three entrants in search of a 10th Miss Grillo victory
| Horses break from the gate at Aqueduct Racetrack. (Coglianese Photos) | Just three weeks after her lucrative victory in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes on Sept. 8, May Day Ready will be back in the starting gate facing an overflow field of 12 in the $200,000 Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct on Sunday. Short recovery times appear to be the theme of the team, as the 2-year-old Tapit filly's regular rider, Frankie Dettori plans to return to the saddle just 10 days after dislocating his shoulder in a starting gate incident on Sept. 19. More from the Blood Horse here. | |
Sneak Peek at the California Crown and Other Key Preps
| Cody’s Wish drew clear to win the 2023 Vosburgh Stakes by 1 1/2-lengths. The horse would then capture the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile for the second year in a row and be honoured as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards. (Susie Raisher/NYRA) | The upcoming weekend in horse racing is packed with important races on the road to the 41st annual Breeders’ Cup World Championships, with six Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” preps scheduled Sept. 28-29. Santa Anita Park in California hosts its first big-event card, the California Crown, with two Challenge Series races scheduled, while three will be held at Belmont at the Big A (Aqueduct) in New York and one at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Del Mar is the host for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup, set for Nov. 1-2. More from America's Best Racing here. | |
The Best of Bob
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Mr. Question, Mrs. Question, Question Me Not, Never A Question, No Questions Asked, Skip The Question and What A Question. This week the history blog looks at the Question Mark Farm Stable and the man who built it from the ground up. Who is it? Click here to learn the identity of this owner, trainer, breeder and self-made man who dreamt of winning the Queen’s Plate while working on the Maryland Street Bridge (From August 25, 2021).
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Upcoming events at ASD
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Lucky Stars - Daily draws for cash at various times throughout the day - more info
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Lucky Spins - Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. - more info
- Grand Truck Vintage & Nostalgia Show - Saturday, Sept. 28 - more info
- Thanksgiving Buffet - Sunday, Oct. 13 - more info
- Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament - Saturday, October 19 - more info
- Breeders' Cup - Friday, Nov. 1 & Saturday, Nov. 2 - more info
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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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