ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
The Inside Track | Issue #84 | June 16, 2023
  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
  • VLTs, Race Carrels and Tables are sanitized between customer use.
In this edition . . .
  • What's happening at the Downs?
  • Live Racing Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
  • ASD Player Portal
  • Chase the Ace at ASD
  • Las Vegas Challenge Tournament this Monday
  • Dining at ASD
  • Chef's Specials
  • Why We Run Horse Races
  • Sincere Condolences
  • Canada Day Fireworks & Festival
  • RCMP Musical Ride
  • Pink Cloud Charity Night
  • Snapshot in Time - Rock'n USA
  • Jena Antonucci first female trainer to win Belmont
  • Carryover Watch
  • Dark Horse Bets Download
  • Bob's Blog - Edward and John Ragen
  • Upcoming Events
Do the Downs!
Live Racing this Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
  • Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $154,117 (last five races)
  • $50,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 (last four races)
  • New to the races? Be sure to stop by and see Brad and Shannon. They will answer all your questions about racing and wagering.
  • Download the Dark Horse Betting App, open a new account and get $30 in free wagers.
  • Free admission and free parking daily.
  • Can't make it to the track? Watch and wager at HPIbet.com.
  • See full ASD schedule here.
Get all the information on Assiniboia Downs racing in one convenient place! The ASD Player Portal features the following FREE information:

  • Link to watch ASD Live Racing on our YouTube channel
  • ASD Live with Kirt & Stretch
  • Free ASD programs
  • ASD expert picks
  • Horse Racing Nation power picks
  • Charting Horse Value charts
  • Trust The Prophets Monday handicapping live stream
  • Brisnet premium pps
  • Jockey bios
  • Photo finish photos

All of the above information is free of charge and available on the ASD Player Portal.
Chase the Ace at Assiniboia Downs
Week #5 Tickets on Sale Now!

Tickets for Chase the Ace Week #5 are on sale now with a $5,000 Guaranteed Accumulator Jackpot if someone picks the Ace of Diamonds!

  • Tickets are available online at ASDowns-CTA.com, Guest Services or at the VLT cashier’s cage.
  • 1 ticket for $5, 3 tickets for $10, 10 tickets for $20, 50 tickets for $50, 200 tickets for $100.
  • The weekly draw will be made Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are on sale now through until 10:00 a.m. the following Thursday.
  • Full contest rules click here.
  • Proceeds support community charities including Final FurlongWinners Foundation, Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre, Indigenous Languages of Manitoba and Manitoba Lung Association.
  • By purchasing a ticket, you are helping these charities make a positive difference in the community. Thank you for supporting the Chase the Ace Ticket Program.
  • The week 4 winner was Ron who won $105. Ron purchased his ticket (D-2097735) online. He selected card #23 which was the eight of spades.

Manitoba Jockey Club - LGCA-5630-RF-39799
2023 Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournaments

  • Las Vegas Challenge - This Monday, June 19. Deadline to enter is 1 p.m. Saturday, June 17
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 10
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, July 31
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, August 21
  • Las Vegas Challenge - Monday, September 18

PRIZES: The tournament winner receives a trip for two to Las Vegas and a trophy (the winner will be provided $3,500 to book their trip to Las Vegas). Second place finisher will receive a $500 deposit to their HPI account, the third place finisher will receive a $250 deposit to their HPI account.

Entry fee into the Las Vegas Challenge is $50 but can be reduced by qualifying on Assiniboia Downs’ race cards leading up to the tournament. To qualify you must select the horse that you think will win each race on the Assiniboia Downs race card. Email your selections for that race night to Sheri at [email protected] prior to the start of racing. If you select three winners on the race card, your entry fee is reduced to $25. For every other race card that you select three winners on your entry fee is reduced by another $5. 
Club West Gaming Lounge

140 VLTs available daily in our spacious Club West Gaming Lounge from 10 a.m. through 1 a.m. Please note that our VLTs are sanitized between play. Click here for a full list of games available at ASD.

Win CA$H Every Day!

  • Draws to win up to $100 cash on our lucky wheel Monday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m.

  • Draws for $20 FREE VLT Spins Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Dining at Assiniboia Downs
Club West Dining Room & Lounge Open Daily

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks plus Happy Hour food and beverage specials in our Club West Dining Room & Lounge! Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Chef's Weekend Specials
Friday Steak & Suds $24.95: 8 oz. Sirloin steak charbroiled and seasoned with our smoky dry rub. Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Plus a complimentary pint of ASD Lucky Lager.

Saturday Prime & Wine $29.95: Certified Angus Prime Rib (8 oz.) cut. Served with fresh vegetables and a choice of mashed potatoes or french fries, horseradish, and Yorkshire pudding au jus. Plus a complimentary 6 oz. glass of house wine.

Sunday Fish & Chips $14.95: Two pieces of beer battered cod with tartar sauce and lemon. Served with french fries and coleslaw.

Add a starter Caesar salad, tossed salad or soup of the day to any of the above specials for $3.95. Served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Live Racing Buffets

Book your table for our Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet! It's available every race night in the Terrace Dining Room.

Buffet highlights include signature Certified Angus prime rib of beef carvery, seafood table featuring jumbo shrimp and salmon, fresh salads and side dishes prepared with locally grown vegetables.

Rotating entree selections of tender grilled chicken, crispy fried fish, sticky BBQ ribs, roasted meats and artisan sausages. Dessert table features warm fresh baked pies and your choice of ice cream plus cheesecakes, tortes and our famous bourbon bacon brownie.

The table is yours for the entire evening and includes racing programs and tip sheets.

Adults - $49.95, Seniors (65+) - $46.95, Kids 12 & under - $29.95, Kids 5 & under - $16.95

Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330. Click here for our 2023 racing schedule.
At The Post with G.S. Thompson
Why We Run Horse Races
Captive Kitten scores longshot victory for trainer Victoria Morse
Leading rider Antonio Whitehall returns aboard longshot winner Captive Kitten after their victory in the second race on Tuesday for trainer Victoria Morse. (Jason Halstead photo)
Leading rider Antonio Whitehall continued to rack up the wins this week, four-time leading trainer Jerry Gourneau started to roll, and trainer Victoria Morse showed us why we run horse races on Tuesday night in the second race.

Morse didn’t expect to win on Tuesday with Captive Kitten ($18.60), an 8-year-old gelding she nursed back to health after a fall last year in the backstretch. Captive Kitten was making only his second start of the year and stretching out to seven furlongs, but when things go haywire in horse races anything can happen.

That’s exactly what occurred on Tuesday, when favourite Lucky Luke broke a step slow and Captive Kitten ended up stalking multiple duels from the inside thanks to leading rider Antonio Whitehall. He opened up into the stretch and held well all the way home. The Assiniboia Downs Twitter crowd loved the ride, stating “Whitehall can do no wrong.” and they were right.
Trainer Victoria Morse with Captive Kitten. (George Williams photo)
Captive Kitten has already matched his win total for last year and if he runs again like he did on Tuesday, there’s a good chance he’ll double his money this year at some point. Morse deserves a ton of credit for the tender loving care that got her horse back to the winner’s circle. Great job Victoria!

Whitehall won four races this week to up his meet-leading total to 18 and maintain his 10-win advantage over Prayven Badrie, who was the leading jockey for the week with five wins, including a hat trick for trainer Jerry Gourneau.
Prayven Badrie (right) led all riders with five wins this week. Shown here with double winner Ronald Ali and Jerry Gourneau's assistant trainer Madison Tirk. (George Williams photo)
2021-2022 leading rider Jorge Carreno also won three races to stay within striking range of Whitehall with seven wins, tying him for third in the jockey standings with Damario Bynoe and Ronald Ali.

Last year’s leading trainer Jerry Gourneau got off to a bit of slow start this year but that’s certainly not the case now. Gourneau won three races to move into a tie for second in the trainer standings with 6-time leading trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. Both veterans now have six wins, putting them only one behind leaders Lise Pruitt and Wendy Anderson, who each have seven victories.
The happy crew in trainer Jared Brown's barn that looked after Margot's Girl, winner of the seventh race on Wednesday under jockey Jorge Carreno. L to R Susan Crane, Hannah Kraychuk and her sister Karli. (George Williams photo)
Trainers Steven Gaskin and Blair Miller got their first wins of the meet this week, and were seen together in the backstretch with big smiles Thursday morning, even though Miller’s win came via a DQ. That’s horse racing though, you never really know who is going to win or how. It’s always a brain teaser, but that’s why we love it…

Underdogs rule.
Margot's Girl gets up just in time to win Wedneday's seventh race for trainer Jared Brown and owners Kane Kachur and Wanda Vass. Jorge Carreno up. (Jason Halstead photo)
Sincere Condolences
Longtime horse owner Gail Payne.
Assiniboia Downs is sad to announce the passing of two longtime owners and supporters of horse racing, Gail Payne and Marie White. Gail and her husband Tom, and Marie and her husband Lynn, campaigned horses for many years at Assiniboia Downs, and were very much loved by their family, their friends, and their horses. They will be greatly missed by the local racing community. Our sincere condolences.
Marie White with husband Lynn at Assiniboia Downs.
Saturday, July 1 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Live musical entertainment
  • Beer gardens
  • 100+ artisans and vendors
  • 15+ food trucks
  • Kid's entertainment
  • A spectacular fireworks display by CanFire Pyrotechnics
  • Tickets $10 (5 & under free). Tickets available at the door or at Showpass.
  • Event parking $5
RCMP Musical Ride
Tickets on sale now!
The 150th Anniversary Tour

The spectacular RCMP Musical Ride will arrive in Winnipeg July 28th and July 29th to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Two performances will take place at Assiniboia Downs. The first one on Friday, July 28th and the second one on Saturday July 29th.

The RCMP Musical Ride is a symbol of tradition, honour, and pride. The Musical Ride is a Canadian icon recognized at home and abroad. The troop of up to 32 riders, who are all police officers, and their horses perform intricate formations and drills set to music, lasting about 30 minutes. These movements demand the utmost control, timing, and coordination.

Friday, July 28
  • Musical Ride starts at 7:00 p.m.
  • Meet and Greet to follow show
  • Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
  • All seating is rush seating.
  • Food and beverage service is available.
  • Tickets $15 (including taxes & fees). Kids 5 & under free.
  • Tickets are available online using the link below or in person at Assiniboia Downs (VLT cage, General Office & Guest Services during live racing).
  • Get your tickets today!!

Saturday, July 29
  • Musical Ride starts at 1:30 p.m.
  • Meet and Greet to follow show
  • Doors open at 12:00 noon
  • All seating is rush seating.
  • Food and beverage service is available.
  • Tickets $15 (including taxes & fees). Kids 5 & under free.
  • Tickets are available online using the link below or in person at Assiniboia Downs (VLT cage, General Office & Guest Services during live racing).
  • Get your tickets today!!
June HPI Cash Back Specials

  • TREMENDOUS TUESDAYS: Earn 3% cash back every Tuesday in June on all tracks on all eligible wagers. Minimum wagered $100 (each Tuesday). Maximum cash back $25 (each Tuesday). ($2.10 payouts are not eligible.) Opt-in at HPIbet.com. All wagers must be placed on your HPI account.
Carryover Watch
  • Parx (June 18) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $354,206
  • Woodbine Mohawk Harness (June 17) - Jackpot Hi-5 carryover $213,123. Mandatory payout on Saturday, June 17. The wager will be frozen until then.
  • Santa Anita (June 16) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover $192,462. Mandatory payout on Sunday, June 18.
  • Assiniboia Downs (June 19) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover $154,117

See all carryovers here.
Can't make it to the track to wager?
Watch and wager at one of our off-track betting locations:

"I Won Bigg" Wagering Group

The "I Won Bigg" wagering group will be playing Santa Anita this Sunday for the mandatory payout of their Jackpot Pick 6. $20 per share. Email Larry at [email protected] for more information.
A Snapshot in Time
by Track Historian Bob Gates
This past June 7th the Downs' Overnight Stakes remembered California-bred, multiple stakes winner, Rock’n U S A. This bay gelding was a solid force in 2008 and 2009. In 2008 he won five of his seven starts at the Downs and three of four in 2009. The 2008 Champion Sprinter was the class of all allowance runners and a winner of the Gold Cup in 2009. Rock’n U S A was owned by Tanya and Shirley Lindsay and Marvin Burnett, trained by Tanya Lindsay and had Alan Cuthbertson as his regular rider. (Gerry Hart Photo).
In The News
Jena Antonucci is the first woman to train a Belmont Stakes (G1) winner
Arcangelo wins 155th Belmont Stakes. (Mathea Kelley photo)
When Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo stormed through the stretch and powered to a 1 1/2-length victory over 2-year-old champion Forte under Javier Castellano in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes it was a moment unlike any other in Triple Crown history, as the son of the late Arrogate turned Jena Antonucci into the first female trainer ever to win the classic. More from the Blood Horse here.
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Our history guy dug deep into his treasure trove of racing stories this week for a story about two men who had a combined 130 years of racing experience in the United States and Canada. The elder of these two was one of seven men on hand to celebrate the official opening of Assiniboia Downs under the new ownership headed by President Jim Wright in 1975. Click here for Bob’s story about one of the grand old men of racing and his racing official nephew.  
Upcoming events at ASD
  • Spin to Win in the Club West Gaming Lounge - Monday to Friday - more info
  • Lucky Spins - Draws for $20 free VLT Spins - Friday to Sunday - more info
  • ASD Live Racing Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. - more info
  • Las Vegas Challenge Handicapping Tournament - Monday, June 19 - more info
  • 3% cash back every Tuesday in June - more info
  • Summer of Sound - Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18 - more info
  • Holi Summer Fest - Saturday, June 24 - more info
  • Canada Day Fireworks & Festival - Saturday, July 1 - more info
  • Free Family Fun Nights every Monday in July & August - more info
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, July 23 - more info
  • RCMP Musical Ride - Friday, July 28 - more info
  • RCMP Musical Ride - Saturday, July 29 - more info
  • Manitoba Derby Night - Monday, August 7
Feedback
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected].
The Inside Track Archives
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