ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
The Inside Track | Issue #42 | August 25, 2022
  • 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?
  • Last Family Fun Day!
  • Full-Brother Tops Yearling Sale
  • Full-Sisters Run 1-2 in Distaff Trial
  • Snapshot in Time: Beau Blade
  • Partner Locations
  • Photo of the Week - I Love My Life
  • Bettor Wins $78,000 (U.S.) with 20-Cent Ticket
  • Final Night Market of the year coming up soon
  • Filly Moira Romps in Queen's Plate
  • Epicenter Favoured in Travers Stakes
  • Trainer Diodoro wins 4th Canadian Derby
  • Carryover Watch
  • Bob: Ron Turcotte and Secretariat
  • Upcoming Events
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.
ASD PLAYER PORTAL. ONE EASY CLICK FOR ALL YOUR ASD RACING INFO!
  • Watch ASD live racing
  • Free ASD live programs
  • Free ASD Brisnet pps
  • Expert selections from ASD, Canadian Thoroughbred and Horse Racing Nation
  • Jockey and trainer stats
  • Current carryover information
  • Jockey bios
  • Click here to go to our Player Portal now
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 happy to assist you every live race night from 6 p.m. until the end of racing. They can also help you open a free HPI online betting account.
CHASE THE ACE - Play Chase the Ace every live race night. Ace of Diamonds wins the $4,790 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.
LAS VEGAS CHALLENGE HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT THIS MONDAY. Deadline to enter is Saturday, August 27 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 24.

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)
LAST CHANCE TO ENJOY FAMILY FUN EVENTS! This Monday is your last chance of the summer to take in our free Family Fun events from 6:30 p.m. to 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
Full-Brother to CTHS Sales Stakes Winner Tops Yearling Sale
Stakes Action: Manitoba-bred sisters run rare 1-2 in Distaff Trial
I Love My Life wins the 34th running of the CTHS Sales Stakes at Assiniboia Downs on Monday. Chavion Chow up. (Jason Halstead photo)
The 34th running of the CTHS Sales Stakes on Monday was won by I Love My Life, who just happened to be a full-brother to Sunday’s Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale topper. How’s that for smart money!

Trained by Lise Pruitt for Arnason Farms, groomed by Pruitt’s daughter Ciera, bred by Cam Ziprick and Charles Fouillard and ridden by Chavion Chow, the bay Manitoba-bred gelding by Kentucky Bear-Midnight Shadow by Trajectory was purchased for $16,000 at the 2021 sale.
Hip #15, the sales topper purchased for $25,000 at the recent Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale, with consignor Kelly Halliday, his wife Kim and her sister Emily (far right). (George Williams photo)
I Love My Life’s full-brother in the yearling sale, Hip #15, topped the yearling sale the day before, when he was purchased for $25,000 by Gary Naherniak and partners from consignor Kelly Halliday. I Love My Life is now a perfect 2-for-2 and has already earned over $37,000. Well done!

Seventeen of the 32 horses offered at the 2022 yearling sale were sold for gross receipts of $170,150 as compared to 22 of 34 offered at last year’s sale that sold for a total of $209,800, but the average price was up from $9,536 to $10,008. This year’s sale also included the last four Going Commando yearlings to ever be sold at a local yearling sale, as Manitoba’s leading sire for the past decade has now been retired.
Hip #28. The last Going Commando ever to be sold at the local yearling sale with breeders Cam and Sherisse Ziprick. Bay filly by Going Commando-Talkn Til Midnight by Broken Vow. (George Williams photo)
The final Going Commando to go through the sale was Hip #28, consigned by Ziprick Thoroughbreds and purchased by Arnason Farms for $20,000. See full sales results here.

Beautifully managed by Ziprick Thoroughbreds and Charles Fouillard, Going Commando was a major force in the Manitoba breeding industry, and helped put our prairie province and track on the world-class map with millionairess and Canadian champion mare Escape Clause, among many other stakes winners. We’re going to miss you Commando.

Thanks for so many great years!
Itsthattime is led out of the winner's circle by groom Charlotte Johnson after winning the Elite Mercedes Overnight Stakes for trainer Mike Nault and owner True North Thoroughbreds on Tuesday evening. (Jason Halstead photo)
In other big money results, Spun Line won the $24,000 Portales Overnight Stakes on Monday night for trainer Jared Brown and owners Ira Donald and Kane Kachur, with leading rider Jorge Carreno in the saddle. Itsthattime was a very game winner of the $24,000 Elite Mercedes Overnight Stakes on Tuesday for trainer Mike Nault and True North Thoroughbreds with Chavion Chow up.

On Wednesday night, Manitoba-bred McKague fought off a good bid from Purrsibility to win the 47th running of the $40,000 Phil Kives Stakes for trainer Carl Anderson and owner/breeder Nearco Ltd. Ridden by Stanley Chadee Jr., the dark bay 5-year-old Manitoba-bred gelding by Secret Circle-Northern Cotton by High Cotton jumped over the $100,000 mark in earnings with his victory and improved his career record to 6-5-5 from 17 starts. Great training job Carl!
McKague wins the 47th running of the Phil Kives Stakes on Wednesday evening at Assiniboia Downs. Stanley Chadee Jr. up. (Jason Halstead photo)
And how about this for a first that we can remember? Full-sisters Hidden Grace and Melisandre finished 1-2 in the $20,000 Distaff Trial on Wednesday.

Both trained by Lise Pruitt, Hidden Grace is a 6-year-old mare and her sister Melisandre is a 4-year-old filly. The sisters are by Going Commando-High Pioneer by Pioneering and were bred in Manitoba by Cam Ziprick, Charles Fouillard and Barry Arnason. Both champions, these superstar sisters have now earned over $500,000 from 34 victories including numerous stakes. And both made Manitoba proud once again on Wednesday.

With their trademark game performances.
Full-sisters Hidden Grace (#2 on right) and Melisandre (#5 on left) on their way to running 1-2 in the Distaff Trial on Wednesday evening. (Jason Halstead photo)
Bettor wins $78,000 (U.S.) Jackpot Hi 5 with $20-Cent Ticket!
A single bettor playing on the TwinSpires platform took down the whole Jackpot Hi 5 pool on Monday night at Assiniboia Downs with a 20-cent ticket that cost $22.80. The ticket structure was as follows: 2,3,10/3,4,6,10/5,7/4,5,9/1,5,6,9

How complicated is that? Kidding! We all know how challenging it is to pick the Jackpot Hi 5. The first five finishers in the eighth race on Monday were: 2-10-7-4-5.

The winning ticket paid $78,873.94 (U.S.)! Just imagine that feeling.
Our final Night Market of the summer is this Sunday, August 28 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. 15+ food trucks, 100+ vendors, live music, beer garden and kids activities. Be sure to check out our Facebook page where we will be featuring different vendors and food trucks. Tickets $7 (5 & under free). Event parking $5.
A Snapshot in Time
By Track Historian Bob Gates
This is photo #3 of 4 of our series that features track record equalling performances for 6-furlongs. On May 21, 1979, Beau Blade becomes the second horse to equal Sunraysed’s time of 1:09 3/5 that he set back in May 1978. (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
  • Club 3D - 3317 Portage Avenue
  • Wager 24/7 at HPIbet.com
Photo of the Week
Groom Ciera Pruitt leads I Love My Life into the winner's circle after his victory in the CTHS Sales Stakes on Monday as her tearful mom, trainer Lise Pruitt, looks on. (Jason Halstead photo)
Do you have an interesting photo you would like showcased in an upcoming newsletter? Email us at [email protected].
In The News
Filly blows by the boys to win Canadian classic in track record time.
Rafael Hernandez and his queen, Moira, win the Queen's Plate. (Michael Burns photo)
Moira was once again masterful in victory, the daughter of Ghostzapper-Devine Aida trounced her 10 rivals by seven lengths in the 163rd running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate, Sunday at Woodbine. More from the Canadian Thoroughbred here.
Blockbuster card at Saratoga on Saturday features five graded stakes.
Epicenter, 7/5 morning-line favourite for this Saturday's Runhappy Travers. (Eric Kalet photo)
The field is set for the 153rd running of Saturday's $1.25 million Runhappy Travers at Saratoga Race Course. Three-time graded stakes winner Epicenter leads a competitive field of eight, including four Grade 1 winners, in what is expected to be a dynamite race! The Travers headlines a blockbuster program at Saratoga on Saturday, which also includes four additional graded stakes. More from the Paulick Report here.
Trainer Robertino Diodoro saddles 1-2 finishers in his 4th Canadian Derby win.
Canadian Derby winner Great Escape and friends. Look at that winner's circle! (Century Mile photo)
If you looked closely, you could see Great Escape in the winner’s circle following his victory in the 93rd Canadian Derby (G3) at Century Mile on August 20. The dark bay, almost black colt was dwarfed by over 100 friends celebrating the win of the Kentucky-bred in the feature race of the Alberta season. More from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here.
Carryover Watch
  • Assiniboia Downs (August 29) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover - $209,906
  • Ferndale (August 26) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover - $209,763
  • Del Mar (August 26) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $192,584
  • See all carryovers here.
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates

This week Bob is about as giddy as we’ve ever seen him. All he can talk about is his telephone conversation with Secretariat’s Triple Crown jockey, Ron Turcotte. That’s right, he managed to track down Turcotte and together they discussed Ron’s memories of Secretariat, Northern Dancer and his visits to Assiniboia Downs. Click here to learn about Ron’s experiences at our Portage Avenue track.
Upcoming events at ASD

  • Live Racing every Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday at 7:30 p.m
  • 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].
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