The Tale of Taboga and Her Heavy Heart

A few weeks ago we wrote about Rick Ball and his favourite horse, Taboga. Sadly, Rick passed away on November 5, shortly after our final interview with him.

During the interview, Rick became emotional as he described Taboga as one of the best mares ever to race at Assiniboia Downs, and how she had beaten some of the best horses at Woodbine, but there were no official records.

There are now.

Full story here.

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!

🎄Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas daily through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Complimentary snacks and free draws to pick an ornament off the Christmas Tree for a chance to win $100 cash!

🎡 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.

NFL Picks by TravyFootball

Week 16

This week I'm breaking down three key matchups: my 49ers riding a four-game winning streak into Indianapolis on Monday night, the Chiefs hosting Tennessee in what's now a meaningless game after losing their superstar QB to an ACL injury, and the Lions facing Aaron Rodgers in a Pittsburgh uniform for the first time. With playoff spots on the line and only three games left, these matchups could make or break some seasons. See my picks here.

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 😊

A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates

In a few more sleeps, the man in the red suit will be making his annual rounds. Pictured here is our own 'Claus,' Manitoba darling Escape Clause from August 2017.

The 2018 Sovereign Award Champion Older Mare piled up US$866,100 in earnings before being sold for US$300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale in 2019.

‘Rocket Ship Fast’ Liberty National Favored In Gun Runner Stakes

With four stakes entries on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds this Saturday, trainer Kenny McPeek brings a double-barreled attack of 2-year-old colts into the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes, led by 7-2 morning-line favourite Liberty National.

“I think Liberty National is sitting on a big race,” said McPeek. “It will be his third start. I think the timing’s ideal. We're just kind of firing away with him. He's rocket ship fast.”

-- Paulick Report

Betting on a Beast in the Remington Springboard Mile

The Remington Springboard Mile Stakes is always a fun handicapping and betting challenge. The one-mile race typically draws a strong local contingent and the $300,000 purse ensures several out-of-state runners make the trek for a chance at a nice paycheck, along with the Kentucky Derby qualifying points awarded on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers.

"The horse that really caught my eye is #1 Artic Beast (4-1)," says handicapper Mike Curry. 

-- America's Best Racing

Early Look at the 2026 Kentucky Derby Hopefuls

Last year, Hall of Fame writer Steve Haskin was all over Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty long before he won that race, and he nailed it, as that horse not only won the Derby, but numerous other stakes, and almost always at a nice price. Haskin begins his early look at the Derby this year focusing on several aspects of each horse, both visual and statistical, with an emphasis on their Thoro-Graph patterns. Always worth a read.

-- Secretariat.com

The Best of Bob

This week Bob has the story of a horse that was responsible for helping build a racing empire at the Downs. Don Gray gets the credit for finding this horse and putting in a timely claim for a horse that ran for a tag only once! Of this same horse, Downs all-time leading jockey Ken Hendricks once said, "They’ve got to pack 130 pounds on him… that’s the only way we’ll beat him!" Hint: The horse conducted his reign of terror from 1977 to 1979. Bob reveals his identity here. (From June 26, 2020)