Top-5 Manitoba-Bred Earners of 2025. Bright Futures Ahead!

Manitoba-breds put on quite the show again in 2025!

The top five earners all cracked the $50,000 mark and easily paved their way into the history books with some exceptional performances for their owners, breeders, and trainers, once again proving that it pays to own horses bred in Manitoba, all of whom can take advantage of the stakes and bonus programs offered to homebreds. 

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!

🎡 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 14

Week 14 is loaded with struggling contenders, chaotic matchups, and a primetime game with major playoff implications. I break down which teams are spiralling, which ones still have a pulse, and where the real advantages lie—without spoiling my selections here.

I’m coming off a 3-0 week and now sit at 27-12 on the season. Let’s see if the streak continues.

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

The holiday season is upon us, and our Snapshot in Time feature has sought out some appropriately named thoroughbreds to mark the month of December. Let’s kick things off with a mare you might not remember: Dancing Elf. The bay was the daughter of North Pole—I kid you not! She raced from 1987 to 1989 and earned two of her three lifetime wins here at the Downs. (Gerry Hart photo)

2025 Cigar Mile Handicap Cheat Sheet

The $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday offers one final opportunity for accomplished and aspiring stakes horses to compete in a marquee dirt mile race before the calendar turns to 2026.

Held around one turn, the Cigar Mile has long been an important race in the dirt mile division since its inaugural running in 1988 when Forty Niner won what was then called the NYRA Mile Handicap.

Handicapper Noel Michael's takes a closer look at the solid seven-horse field.

-- America's Best Racing

New Industry Award for Western Canadian Backstretch Workers

The Jockey Club of Canada is proud to announce a new industry award which will be presented for the first time at the upcoming 51st annual Sovereign Awards ceremony. The Outstanding Western Canadian Backstretch Worker Award is a partner to the longstanding Outstanding Groom Award, which is given to a groom working in Ontario.

This new award is open to backstretch workers who hold a valid thoroughbred license in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and/or Manitoba.

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

Jokestar May Deliver Punchline in Valedictory

In rattling off three dirt wins in his first five starts as a 4-year-old in 2025, Jokestar looked like a horse who was superior on dirt compared to synthetic, the surface on which he largely competed as a 3-year-old. But maybe with age, he's just gotten better altogether.

On Saturday, he'll face eight rivals going 1 1/2-miles over Woodbine's synthetic main track in the $150,000 Valedictory Stakes (G3), and he'll have to beat morning line favourite Tosen Wish.

-- BloodHorse

The Best of Bob

Did you know that in the 1967 Centennial issue of the Canadian Horse magazine, Stanley Harrison was one of ten men honoured for their contributions to racing in Canada? Cap Harrison believed it was the broodmare and not the sire that played the major role in producing an outstanding racehorse. Click here to read more about this great racing icon and his interesting views on breeding. (From June 12, 2018)