ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
The Inside Track | Issue #82 | June 2, 2023
  • 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?
  • Live Racing Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
  • ASD Player Portal
  • Chase the Ace at ASD
  • Las Vegas Challenge
  • Dining at ASD
  • Chef's Specials
  • Spitten Kitten wins One and Only
  • RCMP Musical Ride
  • Owners & Breeders Appreciation Night
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival
  • Pink Cloud Charity Night
  • Snapshot in Time - Prime Time T.V.
  • 2022 Derby winner Rich Strike goes to Bill Mott
  • Five Decades Later: Secretariat's Belmont
  • Carryover Watch
  • Dark Horse Bets Download
  • Bob's Blog - Tribute to Irwin Driedger
  • Upcoming Events
Do the Downs!
Live Racing this Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
  • Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $52,251
  • New to the races? Be sure to stop by and see Brad and Shannon. They will answer all your questions about racing and wagering.
  • Download the Dark Horse Betting App, open a new account and get $30 in free wagers.
  • Free admission and free parking daily.
  • Can't make it to the track? Watch and wager at HPIbet.com.
  • See full ASD schedule here.
Get all the information on Assiniboia Downs racing in one convenient place! The ASD Player Portal features the following FREE information:

  • Link to watch ASD Live Racing on our YouTube channel
  • ASD Live with Kirt & Stretch
  • Free ASD programs
  • ASD expert picks
  • Horse Racing Nation power picks
  • Charting Horse Value charts
  • Trust The Prophets Monday handicapping live stream
  • Brisnet premium pps
  • Jockey bios
  • Photo finish photos

All of the above information is free of charge and available on the ASD Player Portal.
Chase the Ace at Assiniboia Downs
Week #3 Tickets on Sale Now!

Tickets for Chase the Ace Week #3 are on sale now with a $5,000 Guaranteed Accumulator Jackpot if someone picks the Ace of Diamonds!

  • Tickets are available online at ASDowns-CTA.com, Guest Services or at the VLT cashier’s cage
  • 1 ticket for $5, 3 tickets for $10, 10 tickets for $20, 50 tickets for $50, 200 tickets for $100
  • The weekly draw will be made Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are on sale now through until 10:00 a.m. the following Thursday
  • Full contest rules click here.
  • Proceeds support community charities including Final Furlong, Winners Foundation, Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre and Indigenous Languages of Manitoba. By purchasing a ticket, you are helping these charities make a positive difference in the community. Thank you for supporting the Chase the Ace Ticket Program.

Manitoba Jockey Club - LGCA-5630-RF-39799
2023 Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournaments

  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, June 19
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 10
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 31
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 21
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 18

PRIZES: The tournament winner receives a trip for two to Las Vegas and a trophy (the winner will be provided $3,500 to book their trip to Las Vegas). Second place finisher will receive a $500 deposit to their HPI account, the third place finisher will receive a $250 deposit to their HPI account.

Entry fee into the Las Vegas Challenge is $50 but can be reduced by qualifying on Assiniboia Downs’ race cards leading up to the tournament. To qualify you must select the horse that you think will win each race on an Assiniboia Downs race card. Email your selections for that race night to Sheri at [email protected] prior to the start of racing. If you select three winners on the race card, your entry fee is reduced to $25. For every other race card that you select three winners on, your entry fee is reduced by another $5. 
Club West Gaming Lounge

140 VLTs available daily in our spacious Club West Gaming Lounge from 10 a.m. through 1 a.m. Please note that our VLTs are sanitized between play. Click here for a full list of games available at ASD.

Win CA$H Every Day!

  • Draws to win up to $100 cash on our lucky wheel Monday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m.

  • Draws for $20 FREE VLT Spins Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Dining at Assiniboia Downs
Club West Dining Room & Lounge Open Daily

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks plus Happy Hour food and beverage specials in our Club West Dining Room & Lounge! Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Chef's Weekend Specials
Friday Steak & Suds $24.95: 8 oz. Sirloin steak 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.

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.

NEW! Sunday Fish & Chips $14.95: Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.

Add a starter Caesar salad, tossed salad or soup of the day to any of the above specials for $3.95. Served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Live Racing Buffets

Book your table for our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet! It's available every race night in the Terrace Dining Room.

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.

Rotating entree selections of tender grilled chicken, crispy fried fish, sticky BBQ ribs, roasted meats and artisan sausages. Dessert table features warm fresh baked pies and your choice of ice cream plus cheesecakes, tortes and our famous bourbon bacon brownie.

The table is yours for the entire evening and includes racing programs and tip sheets.

Adults - $49.95, Seniors (65+) - $46.95, Kids 12 & under - $29.95, Kids 5 & under - $16.95

Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330. Click here for our 2023 racing schedule.
At The Post with G.S. Thompson
Spitten Kitten wins One and Only Overnight Stakes
3-year-old filly leads us into National Indigenous History Month with big win for Buffalo's
3-year-old filly Spitten Kitten wins the One and Only Overnight Stakes Tuesday night at ASD for Deb and Marvin Buffalo. Sven Balroop in the saddle. (Jason Halstead photo)
Marvin and Deb Buffalo fittingly led us into National Indigenous History Month with a win in the One and Only Overnight Stakes Tuesday night, and trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. scored a hat trick to further bolster the many First Nations' accomplishments at Assiniboia Downs over the decades.

Spitten Kitten was the big wire-to-wire winner for the Buffalos, who own and train the 3-year-old chestnut filly by Air Force Blue-Zahrah by Kitten’s Joy. Spitten Kitten showed talent last year at Assiniboia Downs when breaking her maiden by seven lengths and showed even more on March 18 of this year when she wired her field in a $20,000 Allowance Optional Claimer at Turf Paradise.

Out of a winning half-sister to four $100,000 earners, Spitten Kitten couldn’t match up with champion Lady Cop last year, but she defeated that tough rival on Tuesday. Lady Cop was making her first start of the year in the One and Only and was bumped at the break before rallying and tiring to finish third. We’re expecting better of her next time, and this could be a great rematch.
Spitten Kitten in the winner's circle after her victory in the One and Only Overnight Stakes, the first stakes of the 2023 meeting at ASD. (Jason Halstead photo)
Spitten Kitten was the second winner of the meeting for underrated jockey Sven Balroop, a former champion apprentice in Trinidad. Balroop's first win of the meeting also came on a horse trained by Marvin Buffalo, who hails from Day Star First Nations Reserve in Saskatchewan. And Buffalo wasn’t the only First Nations trainer to light it up this week.

Six-time leading trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. from Beardy’s Cree Nation in Saskatchewan teamed up with jockey Ronald Ali to score a hat trick. Gardipy now has four wins and is tied at the top of the standings with Lise Pruitt and Wendy Anderson.

Jockey Antonio Whitehall also continued his hot streak this week with a hat trick to open daylight in the standings with eight wins, four more than Ali and five more than 2021-22 leading rider Jorge Carreno, Renaldo Cumberbatch and Damario Bynoe.
Sven Balroop had a big smile on after winning the One and Only Overnight Stakes aboard Spitten Kitten. (Jason Halstead photo)
Also of note this week were Manitoba-bred maiden breakers Cuss’n Cat (Vengeful Wildcat-I Swear by More Than Ready) and Private Frank (Going Commando-Inspeightofsuccess by Speightstown).

Cuss’n Cat, a 3-year-old filly bred by Dr. Betty Hughes, trained by Elton Dickey, and owned by Dickey and Tom Payne, won his first lifetime start by 5 ¾-lengths under Renaldo Cumberbatch. And Private Frank, a 3-year-old gelding owned and bred by Jerry Lambert and Lynn Mathews, was turned loose by trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. to break his maiden by 9 ¼-lengths under Ronald Ali.

Both worth watching.
RCMP Musical Ride
Tickets on sale now!
The 150th Anniversary Tour

The spectacular RCMP Musical Ride will arrive in Winnipeg July 28th and July 29th to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Two performances will take place at Assiniboia Downs. The first one on Friday, July 28th and the second one on Saturday July 29th.

The RCMP Musical Ride is a symbol of tradition, honour, and pride. The Musical Ride is a Canadian icon recognized at home and abroad. The troop of up to 32 riders, who are all police officers, and their horses perform intricate formations and drills set to music, lasting about 30 minutes. These movements demand the utmost control, timing, and coordination.

Friday, July 28
  • Musical Ride starts at 7:00 p.m.
  • Meet and Greet to follow show
  • Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
  • All seating is rush seating.
  • Food and beverage service is available.
  • Tickets $15 (including taxes & fees). Kids 5 & under free.
  • Tickets are available online using the link below or in person at Assiniboia Downs (VLT cage, General Office & Guest Services during live racing).
  • Get your tickets today!!

Saturday, July 29
  • Musical Ride starts at 1:30 p.m.
  • Meet and Greet to follow show
  • Doors open at 12:00 noon
  • All seating is rush seating.
  • Food and beverage service is available.
  • Tickets $15 (including taxes & fees). Kids 5 & under free.
  • Tickets are available online using the link below or in person at Assiniboia Downs (VLT cage, General Office & Guest Services during live racing).
  • Get your tickets today!!
Owners & Breeders Appreciation Night
Horse Owners & Breeders plus a guest are invited!
  • Tuesday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m.
  • ASD Tracksdie Patio
  • Complimentary for owners/breeders plus one guest
  • Food will be served
  • Free programs and tip sheets
  • Draws for ASD merchandise

Owners/Breeders must RSVP to Samantha 204-885-3330 (ext. 0) by Monday, June 12. Please have your LGCA pass # when calling.
June HPI Cash Back Specials

  • TREMENDOUS TUEUSDAYS: Earn 3% cash back every Tuesday in June on all tracks on all eligible wagers. Minimum wagered $100 (each Monday). Maximum cash back $25 (each Tuesday). ($2.10 payouts are not eligible.) Opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be placed on your HPI account.
  • BELMONT STAKES DAY BONUS: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible wagers made on all tracks on Saturday, June 10. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum cash back $25. ($2.10 payouts are not eligible.) Opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be placed on your HPI account.
Carryover Watch
  • Pimlico (Friday, June 2) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $483,562
  • Pimlico (Friday, June 2) - Jackpot Super Hi-5 carryover $459,623
  • Gulfstream (Friday, June 2) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $153,820

MANDATORY PAYOUT: Pimlico will have a mandatory payout of all carryover pools on Sunday, June 4.

See all carryovers here.
Can't make it to the track to wager?
Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:
"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group

Join veteran handicappers Ivan Bigg and Larry Liebrecht as they lead discussions for the "I Won Bigg" betting group every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Clubhouse.

This week the group will be playing Woodbine and Santa Anita. $20 gets you a share in the ticket. Can't make it to the track? Email Larry for a share.
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
On June 5th the featured Overnight Stakes will pay tribute to Kentucky-bred, Prime Time T.V. winner of the 2005 Manitoba Derby. In his 3-year-old season the multiple stakes winner won three of his four starts at the Downs. The dark bay colt’s only defeat came in the Derby Trial, but it was his Derby run that will forever be remembered. 

At the mid-point in the race he was trailing the 11-horse field, when he found a gear that most horses only dream about. His last-to-first effort saw him trounce his rivals by more than 10 lengths. Sadly, colic would claim the son of Deputy Minister early in 2006. Prime Time T.V. was owned by Bob Mitchell, trained by Downs’ patriarch, Albert “Bert” Blake and had Travis Hightower as his regular rider. (Gerry Hart Photo)
In The News
2022 Derby winner out of Mantoba-bred mare Gold Strike goes to Hall of Famer
Rich Strike wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Anne M. Eberhardt photo)
Manitoba horse racing fans will be excited to learn that Rich Strike, the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner out of the Manitoba-bred mare Gold Strike, will join the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott when the colt returns from a short break from racing, according to owner Rick Dawson, who races as RED TR-Racing. Remember what Mott did with the mighty Cigar. This will be fun to watch! More from the Blood Horse here.
Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes legacy continues to resonate
Secretariat wins the 1973 Belmont Stakes. (Bob Coglianese photo)
At the top of the list of Secretariat's other worldly achievements is the masterclass he conducted over the Belmont Park oval during the final leg of the 1973 Triple Crown. The iconic Bob Coglianese shot of jockey Ron Turcotte peering over his left shoulder to peek at immorality. The final time that is still two seconds faster than any winner of the American Classic has been able to produce since. The 31-length margin that remains the standard by which transcendent equine performances are measured against. More from the Paulick Report here.
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
 
On Saturday May 20, 2023 we lost one of the most successful jockeys in the history of Assiniboia Downs, Irwin Driedger. Irwin was one of the good guys of racing, both during and after his career on the track. Bob shares some memories of the Hall of Fame jockey, the "kid with the golden locks" from Russell, Manitoba, in his tribute here.
Upcoming events at ASD
  • Spin to Win in the Club West Gaming Lounge - Monday to Friday - more info
  • Lucky Spins - Draws for $20 free VLT Spins - Friday to Sunday - more info
  • ASD Live Racing Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. - more info
  • 3% cash back every Tuesday in June - more info
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, June 11 - more info
  • Owners & Breeders Appreciation Night - Tuesday, June 13
  • Summer of Sound - Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18 - more info
  • Holi Summer Fest - Saturday, June 24 - more info
  • Canada Day Fireworks & Festival - Saturday, July 1 - more info
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, July 23 - more info
  • RCMP Musical Ride - Friday, July 28 - more info
  • RCMP Musical Ride - Saturday, July 29 - more info
Feedback
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected].
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