Twolefttoload Posts Upset in R.C. Anderson Stakes; Keplin, Gourneau, Balroop, Score Four Wins Each

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ISSUE #194 - JULY 25, 2025

Live Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet. Every live race night!

Live Racing this Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Live racing continues every Tuesday and Wednesday evening, along with select Mondays: August 4, August 25, and September 15. Post time is 7:30 p.m.—and as always, admission and parking are free!

Free Family Fun activities every Tuesday in July and August plus Manitoba Derby Night, Monday, August 4. Free kids activities include face painting, bouncy castles and live entertainment. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate dining experience at the track with our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet. 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.

Reservations are filling up for the season so call 204-885-3330 today to reserve your table!

CLICK HERE for schedule

Twolefttoload and groom/assistant trainer for Mike Nault, Brittany Bergen, after winning the $50,000 R. C. Anderson Stakes Tuesday evening at ASD. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia photo)

Twolefttoload Posts Upset in R.C. Anderson Stakes. Keplin, Gourneau, and Balroop Score Four Wins Each.

Twolefttoload went from last to first to win the 50th running of the R.C. Anderson Stakes; jockey Sven Balroop topped all riders with four wins on the week; Steve Keplin Jr. matched that on the trainer side; and five-time leading trainer Jerry Gourneau continued to climb the leaderboard with four wins of his own—on a week highlighted by increasingly bigger crowds.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Manitoba Derby Night - Monday, August 4. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Manitoba Derby presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Get ready for the biggest night of the season – the $125,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year-olds, presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries! As the first leg of the Western Canada Derby Series, this prestigious race is packed with excitement.

$100,000 Guaranteed Pick 4
Mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5 (if not won prior).
Enter the Derby Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 win wager on a Derby horse.
Strike a pose in front of our Derby backdrop to enter to win a $100 ASD gift card—just don your best Derby attire or hat!
Enjoy Family Fun starting at 6:30 p.m. with bouncy castles, face painting, and kids entertainment.
Visit the special Derby history display by Track Historian Bob Gates.
Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Free admission and free parking make it a night you won't want to miss!

Girls Night Out - Wednesdays in August.

Girls Night Out! Wednesdays in August

Grab your girlfriends and join us at the Downs for an evening of fun, food, and fabulous prizes—just for the girls!

Fancy Hat Draw - Wear your best Derby hat and enter to win $150 cash! Draw after Race 6.
Girls-Only Special $100 Draws - Enter to win - draws after Races 4, 5 & 6.
$5 Food & Drink Specials (available on the main and 3rd floor) – Fireball Shot, Peach Tart Shot, Razderby Lemonade, 6 oz House Wine, Chicken Fingers Snack, Popcorn, Double Scoop of Ice Cream.
$5 Espresso Martini Shooter – Includes a ballot to win a $300 Thermea Spa Gift Card. Sponsored by Corby Spirit & Wine.

Bound for Heaven gets a kiss from her groom after winning the first race on Tuesday at ASD for trainer Mike Taphorn and owners Garry Naherniak and Leon Hougham. Ronald Ali up.(Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) 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

Clayton Gray won seven Downs leading training titles (1970, 72, 73, 74, 76, 79, 80) during his career here. Between Clayton and his brother Don the pair won every Downs leading training title in the 1970s, with exception of 1971, when John Gray managed to wrestle the title away. Clayton is pictured after winning the Gold Cup with Cherokee’s Goal in 2010. Cherokee also won the Saskatchewan Derby and the Harry Jeffrey stakes and finished second in the Manitoba Derby in the same year. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

Baeza will face Sovereignty for the third time in Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. (Mathea Kelley/BloodHorse)

Third Time’s the Charm: Can Baeza Defeat Sovereignty in Jim Dandy Stakes?

Not many bettors expect an upset in Saturday’s $500,000 Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun at Saratoga. The majority of the win pool figures to be wagered on Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sovereignty.

But might the Jim Dandy be a perfect opportunity for Baeza to turn the tables?

-- America's Best Racing

CLICK FOR FULL STORY

Caitlinhergrtness wins the Belle Mahone Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns)

Caitlinhergrtness Looks to Bounce Back in Trillium

2024 Sovereign Award champion 3-year-old filly Caitlinhergrtness returns to the synthetic in hopes of reclaiming her top form in Saturday's $150,000 Trillium Stakes (G3) at Woodbine.

And former top ASD trainer Martin Drexler is going to try to beat her with second-choice Literate. Can he do it?

-- BloodHorse

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Tom's Magic (#1) with Axel Concepcion riding won the $100,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park Racetrack on June 28. (Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)

Gangster Stays On Top Of King’s Plate List, Ghost Arrives

The Plate Trial and Woodbine Oaks have been settled, and those two Canadian-bred 3-year-old races essentially finalized the field for the 166th King’s Plate on August 16.

While one of the top Plate contenders, Tom’s Magic, was waiting in the wings at Fair Hill in Maryland, the Trial and Oaks sifted out a few likely entrants for the 1 1/4-mile Plate. Jennifer Morrison looks at the top 10 contenders.

-- Canadian Thoroughbred

CLICK FOR FULL STORY

Bob's Blog

10th Anniversary of the Overnight Stakes

Who knew? This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Downs Overnight Stakes Series. Bob tells us that 63 races have been run under the banner of the Overnight Stakes. Who do you think occupies the top spots on the horse, rider, and trainer leaderboards? Well, as you probably suspect, our history guy has those answers and more. Click here for more on the 10-year history of the Downs Overnight Stakes.

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