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DID YOU HEAR THE LATEST?
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from Assiniboia Downs.
| | ISSUE #218 - JANUARY 9, 2026 | | Throughout his life after racing, Seattle Slew was tended to by his attentive groom Tom Wade. (Barbara D. Livingston) | | |
The Best Horses I Ever Met
Looking back over my 50-year career in horse racing from water-bucket carrier to groom to trainer to writer, I’ve met some pretty darn good horses, some of which were the best in the world, but every one of them had something special about them.
I missed seeing the mighty Secretariat in person, but I did get to meet Seattle Slew and Cigar, among other greats, a few of whom graced us at Assiniboia Downs.
But one stood out.
Full story here.
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2026 ASD Live Race Dates Announced!
The 2026 50-day live racing meet at Assiniboia Downs kicks off on Tuesday, May 12, and runs through Wednesday, October 7. Racing will take place primarily on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with select Monday night cards on June 22, July 13, August 3 and 24, and September 14. Post time will be 7:30 p.m., and the very popular Family Fun Nights and Girls Night Out will be back in full force! See full schedule here.
Are you ready!?!
| | Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. | | |
The fun never stops at Assiniboia Downs
Winnipeg’s place to play and win!
Did you know that Assiniboia Downs is Winnipeg's #1 Spot for VLT Jackpots? Play any of our 140 VLTs in the Club West Gaming Lounge for your chance to win!
🎡 Free Spin to Win draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 6 p.m.
💸 Free $200 cash draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.
Click here to see our recent jackpots.
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NFL Picks by TravyFootball
Wild Card Weekend
It’s win-or-go-home time, and I’m back with my Wildcard Weekend picks. From a surprising division champ trying to pull off another upset, to one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries under the Saturday night lights, and a matchup that hurts me to make against my own team, this weekend has no shortage of drama. After a rough outing last week, I’m looking to bounce back when it matters most — check out my Wildcard Weekend breakdowns here and see where I’m putting my faith.
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Road to the Kentucky Derby
- Jan. 16, 17, 18 - Kentucky Derby Future Wager
- Jan. 17 - Lecomte (FG) - 20 points
- Jan. 31 - Withers (Aqu) - 20 points
- Jan. 31 - Holy Bull (GP) - 20 points
- Jan. 31 - Southwest (OP) - 20 points
| | Downs all-time leading trainer Gary Danelson and Bonnie McCrory celebrate as owners with jockey Antonio Whitehall after their victory in the Winnipeg Futurity with Omaha Warrior, conditioned by Jared Brown. Click image for full size. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) | | |
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 😊
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A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates
Lorne Spearman (jockey agent for the late Irwin Driedger) called on Christmas Day to send holiday greetings. Lorne is pictured here with Irwin, who was one of the most successful riders to ply his trade here at the Downs. Thanks for thinking about us Lorne! (Assiniboia Downs Archive Photo)
| | Diane Crump in 1969 at Hialeah Race Course (Keeneland Library Raftery Turfotos Collection) | | |
Trailblazing Jockey Crump Dies at Age 77
Diane Crump, the pioneering Thoroughbred jockey whose riding breakthroughs set the stage for generations of female riders, died Jan. 1 at an inpatient hospice facility in Winchester, Va. She was 77.
Crump, involved with horses from her youth until the final months of her life, was best known for becoming the first woman to compete as a licensed jockey at a United States racetrack when she rode Bridle 'n Bit in a race Feb. 7, 1969, at Hialeah Park in South Florida.
"It always impacted me, being the first female jockey," Crump said during a 2017 interview with America's Best Racing. "I have one little footprint in history that turned a corner not just for women's rights, but equal rights."
-- BloodHorse
| | Fans enjoy sunshine and great racing at Gulfstream Park. (Eclipse Sportswire) | | |
Noel’s Weekend Winners: Lure of Sunshine Beckons for Gulfstream Park Stakes
This Saturday’s featured races at Gulfstream Park are a pair of remnants from the track’s old Sunshine Millions program that showcased Florida-and California-breds. Now with purses of $75,000 apiece and restricted to Florida-bred racehorses, the Sunshine Classic Stakes and the Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Stakes headline Saturday’s 11-race card at Gulfstream as the final two races on the card.
Handicapper Noel Michaels has the plays.
-- America's Best Racing
| | Sovereignty, the front-runner for 2025 Horse of the Year, is also a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male. (Barbara D. Livingston) | | |
2025 Eclipse Awards: Sovereignty headlines list of finalists
Sovereignty, the dual-classic winner, Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Horse of the Year, and 12 of the 14 winners of Breeders’ Cup races were among those announced Sunday as finalists for Eclipse Awards, which honour the 2025 champions of Thoroughbred racing.
Three finalists for Eclipse Awards in 11 equine and five human categories were announced Sunday. The award winners will be announced and honoured Jan. 22 at a black-tie ceremony held at The Breakers Palm Beach, a luxury resort in Palm Beach, Fla.
-- Daily Racing Form
| | Track Historian Bob Gates | | |
The Best of Bob
What possible link could there be between the 1962 Grey Cup game and the Winnipeg born and raised horse racing Hall of Famer who was a part of Manitoba Horse Racing Commission in the 60s, 70s and 80s?
Hint: What was the longest football game in the history of the CFL. Bob has the details here. (From June 20, 2018)
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Feedback & Inside Track Archives
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to theinsidetrack@ASDowns.com.
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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