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ISSUE #185 - MAY 23, 2025

Live Racing


Live racing is back every Tuesday and Wednesday plus select Mondays (June 2, June 23, July 14, August 4, August 25 and September 15) at 7:30 p.m. Free admission and free parking! Don't know how to bet? Just stop by and see Shannon and Brad at the Fan Education Centre and they will answer all your questions!


NEW! Starting Tuesday, May 27th, the Pick 4 guarantee will be $50,000.


CLICK HERE for schedule

Sophia's Storm gives leading trainer Steve Keplin Jr. his fifth win of the meeting on Wednesday.(Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

Steve Keplin, Jr. and Rachaad Knights Maintain Narrow Leads in Standings


Trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. surged to the lead in the trainer standings Wednesday night with back-to-back wins, trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. continued to roll, and Rachaad Knights stayed on top in the jockey standings with a win on Tuesday evening.


Wendy Anderson, Jared Brown, and Lise Pruitt follow Steve Keplin, Jr. and Tom Gardipy, Jr. in the trainer standings with three wins each to round out the top five, and it was nice to see trainer Elton Dickey and jockey Renaldo Cumberbatch team up to win the Shelley Brown Memorial with Meko Makee on Tuesday night.


 CLICK HERE to get the scoop!

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Live Racing Prime Rib Buffet


Get ready to indulge in the ultimate dining experience at the track. Savour melt-in-your-mouth Certified Angus Prime Rib carved to perfection, plus a delicious variety of chicken and seafood dishes, rotating entrée selections, and so much more! Adults: $59.95, Seniors (65+): $54.95, Kids (6–12): $34.95, Kids (5 & under): $22.95. Call 204-885-3330 to reserve your table

Manitoba-bred Silver Jaguar is led into the winner's circle after winning the first race on Wednesday for trainer Mike Taphorn. Neville Stephenson up. Click photo to enlarge.

Looking for a Special Photo?

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


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 😊

Click photo to enlarge

A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates


How about another opening day win from yesteryear—this time from 40 years ago, on May 3, 1985? Once again, owner/trainer Gary Danelson (who always seemed to have his horses ready to go when he arrived) won the seventh race on opening day with There’s a Reason, with jockey Dave Burns up.


Who remembers the ‘character’ guy, Harvey Burnell? You’ll find Harvey in this shot, fourth from the left, wearing the cowboy hat (Gerry Hart photo).

Journalism wins the Preakness. (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

An Early Look at the Probable Field for the 2025 Belmont Stakes


The first two legs of the 2025 Triple Crown delivered a surplus of drama and excitement thanks to Sovereignty’s powerful rally in the Kentucky Derby followed by Journalism’s gutsy win in the Preakness Stakes two weeks later at Pimlico.


Focus now shifts to the Belmont Stakes June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, which for the second straight year will host the final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown. America's Best Racing takes a look at the probable runners.

Journalism overcame major trouble to win the Preakness Stakes. (Maryland Jockey Club photo)

'Quit Riding Him Like A Rented Mule'

Steve Asmussen Slams Umberto Rispoli's Preakness Ride


Hall of Fame trainer Steve Amussen is still hopping mad over the rough riding that occurred in this year's Preakness Stakes.


His contender Clever Again seemed to get the worst of it, slammed into the rail by eventual winner Journalism, checked hard by jockey Jose Ortiz, and eased home to finish last. Read more about what Asmussen had to say in the Paulick Report.

Field of Gold wins the Craven Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse (Edward Whitaker / Racing Post)

Field of Gold Seeks Classic Redemption in Irish Guineas


Field of Gold will face eight rivals as he bids for classic redemption in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at the Curragh this Saturday.


The John and Thady Gosden-trained 3-year-old finished second in the English Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse on his last start May 3, which resulted in the Clarehaven yard installing the "best available rider" policy instead of using Kieran Shoemark. The BloodHorse has the inside track.

Bob's Blog -- "Off and Running"


The history guy has something just a little bit different for us this time around. Bob was scouring the newspapers and found a feature that was titled "Off and Running." Each was a short story that told a tale of the turf or answered questions about horses or horse racing in general. He even found a couple about Assiniboia Downs! Click here for a sampling of John Day’s Off and Running.

Feedback & Inside Track Archives

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


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