The Inside Track | Issue #150 | September 20, 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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Only Two Race Nights left
- Monday, September 23
- Tuesday, September 24 - Final Night of Live Racing. Mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5 (if not won prior to). Current carryover is $206,511.
Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
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Fan Appreciation Specials
Monday, September 23 & Tuesday, September 24
- Drink Specials: Molson Ultra $4, Fireball Shots $4
- Main Floor Concession Specials: Hot Dogs $4, Regular Popcorn $4, Regular Fries $4, Large Ice Cream $4
- ASD Programs $2, ASD Tip Sheets $.50 cents
- 25% Off Gift Shop Merchandise
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In this edition . . .
- What's happening at the Downs?
- Fan Appreciation Specials
- Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament
- Free ASD Programs and more
- Win $500 Cash After Each Live Race Night
- There's always a Deal at ASD!
- Stars Rise to the Occasion in Year-End Stakes
- Looking For a Special Photo?
- TravyFootball Week 3
- Carryover Watch
- Off-Track Betting Locations
- "I Won Bigg" Wagering Group
- A Snapshot in Time: Doc Kope
- Best 3-Year-Old in Canada?
- New NYRA Video Will Explain Stewards' Decisions
- Pennsylvania Derby at a Glance
- Bob's Blog: Season Wrap, Best of Bob
- Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Handicapping Tournaments
Las Vegas Challenge Tournaments:
- Las Vegas Challenge - This Monday, Sept. 23
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 the Assiniboia Downs race card. Email your selections for that race night to Sheri at sherig@ASDowns.com 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.
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
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Assiniboia Downs Player Portal
Assiniboia Downs racing information in one convenient place!
Check out our Player Portal here
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HPI Bonuses
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Monday, Sept. 23 & Tuesday, Sept. 24 - Earn 3% cash back when you wager on Assiniboia Downs. 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.
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Draws for $500 in the VLT Lounge every Race Night!
Every race night a draw for $500 Cash will be made in the VLT lounge at 11:30 p.m. during Crazy Hour!
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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This Season we will be featuring a 50/50 draw EVERY race night with proceeds benefiting Final Furlong and the Winners Foundation.
50/50 tickets for Monday, September 23 are on sale now!
- The 50/50 draw will be made each race night at 10 p.m.
- 1 ticket for $10, 10 for $20, 50 for $50, 200 for $100
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Tickets can be purchased from the VLT cashier’s cage, Guest Services, from the designated 50/50 seller or online at 5050.ASDowns.com
- Ticket sales close at 9:50 p.m.
- You don't have to be in attendance to claim your prize
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Winning ticket numbers are posted at 5050.ASDowns.com
- Manitoba Jockey Club LGCA-5630-RF-44247
Thank you for your support!
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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.
Along with our fantastic lunch specials, we also offer happy hour food and drink specials and weekend food deals. Click here to find out more!
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Live Racing Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet | |
Enjoy our fabulous Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet from the best view in the house!
Our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet is available every race night. The table is yours for the entire evening and includes complimentary racing programs and tip sheets.
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 remaining two race nights are SOLD OUT!
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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 will sell out quickly so call today!
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson | |
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Stars Rise to the Occasion in Year-End Stakes
Betterlucknexttime, No Show No Call, Magic Tiger, Welcometohollywood, Burrow Down
| Burrow Down (inside) on her way to victory in the Manitoba Matron on Wednesday. Rachaad Knights up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
The best horses on the grounds entertained fans with some excellent performances this week in five stakes that often decide championship honours.
Manitoba-bred stars kicked off the talent show on Monday in the J. W. Sifton and the Buffalo Stakes. The Gold Cup on Tuesday almost resulted in a triple dead heat, and there was a huge upset in the Winnipeg Futurity on the same night. Then Burrow Down delivered a tour de force performance in the Manitoba Matron on Wednesday.
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Betterlucknexttime (inside) on the lead early in the 62nd running of the Buffalo Stakes on Monday. Prayven Badrie up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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Betterlucknexttime was sent off as the slight favourite over CTHS Sales stakes winner Mr. Splash in the 62nd running of the $40,000 Buffalo Stakes, and the finish was exactly as the public predicted. That may have been helped by the fact that Mr. Splash broke slow and was bumped at the start, but Betterlucknexttime appeared to be the dominant speed on paper, and that advantage was further amplified when Mr. Splash broke poorly.
Betterlucknexttime dueled inside early under leading rider Prayven Badrie in the one-mile race, opened up on the backstretch, took a 7½-length lead into the stretch, and held off a valiant Mr. Splash late. The latter was back early, advanced inside on the final turn under Damario Bynoe, and came flying home on the outside but came up a half-length short at the wire.
A $25,000 purchase at the 2023 CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale, Betterlucknexttime (Nonios-Nickel Candy by Silver Deputy) is trained by Mike Nault. He was bred by Larry Falloon and Denis Huberdeau and campaigns for A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds. The Buffalo Stakes was his first stakes win from four starts, and he also finished second in the CTHS Sales Stakes. His win in the Buffalo Stakes brought his earnings close to $50,000.
Congratulations!
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No Show No Call (outside) watching the photographer on his first pass by the grandstand in the 55th
running of the J. W. Sifton Stakes. Ronald Ali up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
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The 55th running of the $40,000 J. W. Sifton Stakes was also won by a short-priced favourite on Monday. No Show No Call did it the hard way though, after being six-wide on the first turn and widest while moving to challenge the leader on the backstretch. He took a short lead outside into the final turn of the 1⅛-mile race and finally shook off pace rival J L Copper in late turn, opening up and romping away to win by 9¾ lengths.
Trained by Mike Taphorn for Staffmax Stable and Club 3D Stable, and ridden by Ronald Ali, No Show No Call was a $17,000 purchase in the 2022 CTHS Manitoba Yearling Sale. The 3-year-old chestnut gelding by Kentucky Bear-She's Regal by Going Commando was bred in Manitoba by Cam Ziprick and Charles Fouillard.
The Sifton was the second stakes win for No Show No Call, who had already won four races this year including the Frank Arnason Sire Stakes. His win in the Sifton put him close to the $90,000 mark in earnings, and he appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Well done!
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Magic Tiger (outside) wins a three-horse photo over Big Nick (between horses) and Blazing Bo in the 67th running of the Gold Cup on Tuesday. Ronald Ali up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The 67th running of the $50,000 Gold Cup was expected to be a great race, and even with a short field of six horses it lived up to expectations. 2023 Gold Cup winner Magic Tiger got up just in time under jockey Ronald Ali to defeat Big Nick and Blazing Bo in a very tight photo that could easily have been a triple dead heat.
Trained by Wendy Anderson for Bill Meikle and Wind Dancer, Magic Tiger became the first horse to win back-to-back Gold Cups since Balooga Bull accomplished the feat in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Only seven horses have won the Gold Cup in back-to-back years, and they include Go Fly (1961-62), Fall Session (1969-70), Buck Domino (1984-85), Exclusive Run (1999-2000), Sir Pucker (2002-2003), and the aforementioned Balooga Bull. All are among the best horses to have ever raced at Assiniboia Downs.
The champion older horse at Assiniboia Downs in 2023 with stakes wins in the R. J. Speers Memorial, Bocage Stakes, and the Gold Cup, Magic Tiger was winless in five starts heading into the Gold Cup but had been rounding steadily into better form. He peaked at just the right time.
Kudos to trainer Wendy Anderson!
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Welcometohollywood posts a huge upset as the longest shot on the board in the 95th running of the Winnipeg Futurity on Tuesday. Dario Dalrymple up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The 95th running of the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity took place on the same evening as the Gold Cup and resulted in the biggest upset of the week.
Welcometohollywood was sent off as the longest shot on the board in the Futurity, but you never would have known it by the way she performed. Trainer Jared Brown thought the 2-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach was his best youngster early in the year, and she appeared to be just that when she won her first start. But then stablemate Gee I'm Foxy defeated her easily in three straight stakes, and the bloom was off the rose.
It's back on now.
Owned by trainer Jared Brown in partnership with John Ganas, and ridden by Dario Dalrymple, Welcometohollywood was always full of run on the outside in the six-furlong race. She challenged midway through the turn, opened up on the heavily favoured Gee I'm Foxy in early stretch, and held off longshot Carl Anderson trainee Princeoftheprairie to win by half a length, as Gee I'm Foxy faded to fourth. Welcomtohollywood paid $31.60 to win and bounded over the $50,000 mark in earnings.
Nice comeback!
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Burrow Down wins the 43rd running of the Manitoba Matron on Wednesday. Rachaad Knights up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | |
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The final big race of the week on Wednesday was the 43rd running of the $50,000 Manitoba Matron, which featured five rivals and a much-anticipated battle between Manitoba-bred Mechanic Susie, who had won six in a row, and Burrow Down, who was 8-for-10 at the Downs.
Burrow Down was sent off as the even-money favourite under jockey Rachaad Knights and wasted little time showing her rivals who the boss female is in these parts. She moved to take the lead off Jj's American Diva outside after half a mile in the 1⅛-mile race and basically drew off as she pleased to win by 5¼ lengths over that rival.
Mechanic Susie, who had won all six of her starts at the Downs this year including the Distaff Stakes, took a run at the winner on the final turn but couldn't get to her and tired in the stretch to finish fourth.
Trained by Murray Duncan for Gerald Babchishin, Burrow Down has now won nine of her 11 starts at Assiniboia Downs and has earned just shy of $300,000.
Championship honours await.
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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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Jared Brown's assistant trainer and groom Susan Crane had a big smile to share after winning the Winnipeg Futurity with Welcometohollywood. (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 3
Texans over Vikings (Sunday noon): Just for the record, I'm not picking the Texans here out of spite because of what the Vikings did to San Fran last week, I'm not THAT petty (or am I?). The Vikings defense held Brock Purdy and the rest the 49ers offense in check for most of the game, which came as a surprise to me. It's one thing to do it against the Giants, but to do it against San Fran, impressive. Afterwards, Purdy went up to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and praised him by saying "your scheme is crazy!" Quarterback Sam Darnold may be having a bit of a career resurgence in Minny. Albeit a small sample size, I don't think anyone had the Vikings being 2-0 to start, and Darnold should take credit for a lot of that. Houston will be another test for him, and there's a chance that he will be without start receiver Justin Jefferson. The Texans played what felt like a 5-hour game last week against the Bears. It was closer than it should have been considering they held Caleb Williams to under 200 yards passing and also sacked him six times, but they only scored 19 points and didn't quite look like the offensive juggernaut they are supposed to be.
Bengals over Commanders (Monday night): Since the NFL expanded to an 18-week season in 2021, 17 teams have started their year off going 0-2, only four of those teams went on to make the playoffs. The Bengals are behind the eight ball already as they find themselves 0-2 after yet another heartbreaking loss to their rivals, the Chiefs. They did play much better in week two compared to week one, so I guess there's that positive to look at. But if they want to avoid going 0-3, which would pretty much be a death sentence, they have got to find a way to start winning games. The backfield duo of Chase Brown and Zach Moss has been disappointing thus far, which is making their offense a bit one dimensional. The Commanders played another stinker of a game last week against the Giants. Despite scoring 21 points, the offense accounted for exactly zero of them as kicker Austin Seibert was the hero of the day for Washington (and any fantasy football owners of him) with his seven-field-goal performance.
Lions over Cardinals (Sunday afternoon): Jared Goff having almost 60 pass attempts last week against the Bucs is definitely not an ideal situation for him. So far this season he only has one touchdown pass along with three interceptions and is not quite looking like the guy he was last year. One player who IS having a remarkable start for the Lions is defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson tallied FIVE sacks on his own last week, and I'm sure Baker Mayfield was seeing him in his sleep after being in his face all game. He's going to need a similar performance against the elusive Kyler Murray when the Lions head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Murray said in a post-game interview that "it's not his job" to get rookie receiver Marvin Harrison the ball after only completing one pass to him in week one. Well things went a little differently in week two as they hooked up for two touchdowns in the first quarter against a heavily depleted Rams team. Murray finished the day with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 while Harrison finished with 130 yards to go with the forementioned two touchdowns.
Last week: 1-2
Season overall: 4-2
| 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 during the month of September. |
- Gulfstream (September 20) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $227,195. Mandatory payout on Sunday, September 22.
- Assiniboia Downs (September 23) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $206,511. Mandatory payout on Tuesday, September 24 (if not won prior to).
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 | |
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The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be meeting on the following dates through the end of September:
- Saturday, Sept. 21 - No "I Won Bigg" workshop
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. - Featured track Assiniboia Downs
- Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m. - Featured tracks Woodbine and Santa Anita
Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please email Larry.
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A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
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On August 5, 1972 the Gold Cup celebrated its 15th running. The winner, Doc Kope, gave trainer Clayton Gray and owners Hillside Farms their first Gold Cup victory. It’s no easy task to win this race and 1972 was no exception. The field included mile record-holder Gladiatore II, the 1971 winner Windsor Moon, and two-time winner (1969, 1970) Fall Session. Talk about a tough race (Gerry Hart photo). | |
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BC-bred son of Sungold has made it look so easy in consecutive graded stakes
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August Rain, inside, under Amadeo Perez, came from well off the pace to win the BC Derby (G3) for owner and breeder Peter Redekop. (Michael Bye photo) | |
The "Rain" came and conquered all in the B.C. Derby (G3) at Hastings Racecourse on September 14. Actual rain on Hastings’ biggest race day made the track a sea of slop, but the highly-talented 3-year-old August Rain didn’t mind one bit. And he's now a contender for a Sovereign Award. More from Jennifer Morrison at the Canadian Thoroughbred here. | |
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Steward Victor Escobar details the reasoning behind each ruling in an inquiry
| Horses break from the gate at Aqueduct Racetrack. (Coglianese Photos) | If you are wondering why your horse was disqualified in a New York Racing Association race, there's now a place to which you can turn. NYRA has launched a new, regular YouTube feature entitled "Stewards' Review" in which NYRA steward Victor Escobar will explain recent decisions in which horses were disqualified or there was no change in the order of finish after an inquiry. Great addition to NYRA racing and way overdue everywhere. More from the Blood Horse here. | |
2024 Pennsylvania Derby at a Glance
Preakness winner Seize the Grey among competitive field of 11 this Saturday
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Curlin Stakes winner Unmatched Wisdom has been listed at 8-1 for Saturday's Pennsylvania Derby. (NYRA/Coglianese Photo)
| The Pennsylvania Derby closes out the Grade 1 dirt stakes this year for 3-year-olds and Saturday’s $1 million stakes at Parx Racing attracted one of the stars of the Triple Crown. Preakness winner Seize the Grey is among a field of 11 as he looks to get back on the winning track after losses in his last two starts. And there are some live longshots. More from America's Best Racing here. | |
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
For the last five months Bob has regaled us with horse racing stories from yesteryear. This week marks the end of his latest tales. But not to worry, starting next week we will feature the "Best of Bob" where we will rerun some old favourites. The Best of Bob stories will run through the entire off-season, so be sure to check in weekly. Click here for the history guy’s final story for the 2024 live racing season.
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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
- MICEC Monster Bingo - Saturday, Sept. 21 - more info
- Live Racing Monday, Sept. 23 & Tuesday, Sept. 24 - more info
- Draw for $500 Cash after each live race night in the VLT Lounge - more info
- Fan Appreciation Specials - Monday, Sept. 23 & Tuesday, Sept. 24 - more info
- Las Vegas Challenge Tournament - Monday, Sept. 23 - more info
- Grand Truck Vintage & Nostalgia Show - Saturday, Sept. 28 - more info
- Thanksgiving Buffet - Sunday, Oct. 13 - 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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