The Inside Track | Issue #16 | Feb. 24, 2022 |
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Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Full immunization and government issued I.D. required to attend Assiniboia Downs.
- VLTs, Race Carrels and Tables are sanitized between customer use.
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- What's happening at the Downs?
- Wife defeats husband
- A Snapshot in Time
- Mishriff vs Derby winner
- Photo of the Week
- Kentucky Derby winner disqualified
- Heating up on Derby trail
- The Best of Bob
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SPIN TO WIN FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS IN THE CLUBWEST GAMING LOUNGE - Enter at the VLT cage every Friday & Saturday for a chance to Spin the Wheel for up to $100 Cash! Draws will be made every 30 minutes starting at noon.
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MONDAY MARCH MADNESS - 4% cash back on all eligible wagering Mondays in March. Minimum wagered $100 (each Monday). Maximum deposit $25 (each Monday). Wagers must be placed on HPI account to qualify. ($2.10 payoffs not included).
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PRIME RIB BUFFET RETURNS
ASD is excited to annouce that our signature Prime Rib buffet is returning for live race nights!
- Buffet highlights include 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
- Adults - $47.95, Seniors (65+) - $44.95, 12 & under - $27.95, 5 & under - $14.95
- Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330.
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FRIDAY & SATURDAY DINNER SPECIALS
FRIDAYS: 8 oz. top Sirloin steak charbroiled and seasoned with our smoky dry rub. Served with vegetables and choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. $24.95. Reservations are not required.
SATURDAYS: Smoky charbroiled St. Louis ribs with our signature BBQ sauce. Served with vegetables and choice of mashed potatoes or french fries. Every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. $24.95. Reservations are not required.
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PLAYER REWARDS PROGRAM ENDS THIS MONDAY (FEB. 28) - Points from the old program can be used for food and beverage purchases, program kiosk purchases or entry into monthly handicapping contests. This is the final deadline. Points will not be extended past this date.
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At The Post with G.S. Thompson |
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Wife Defeats Husband in Player's Choice Tourney
Cecelia Liebrecht wins contest with one of the highest bankrolls ever
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Congratulations to Cecelia Liebrecht (pictured here), who won last weekend’s Player’s Choice Handicapping Tournament with one of the highest totals ever!
Cecelia turned her $60 bankroll into a stellar $149.50, primarily on the strength of a CAP horse in the fifth race at Charles Town. Key O Reyes went off at 30-1 and was on the lead from the time the gate opened, holding 17-1 shot King T’challa safe throughout to win by three-quarters of a length.
The big winner paid $63.30, $21.80, $8.10 across the board (the win price was capped at $42 for contest purposes) and likely put Cecelia on the lead. Just to make sure, she nailed another 7-1 shot in the eighth race at Charles Town, distancing herself from the field with a return of $17.10, $9.50, $4.10 across the board.
Cecelia had already picked a few late afternoon winners at Tampa Bay at 2-1 and 4-1, but she was in the barn when the big guns rolled home.
“I just pick them and forget them,” said the owner of St. Andrews Stables and Tack in the Box. “I was clearing snow and feeding the horses. It’s been a brutal winter, so it was certainly nice to win.”
Cecelia won $1,000, a trophy, and most importantly, bragging rights for her big effort. Trevor Tilston-Jones finished second and won $400 in prize money with a bankroll of $122.70, which normally would have been good enough to win. Stan Stewin finished third ($101.00 bankroll, $200 prize money) followed by James Werry ($98.50, $100) and Ralph Gelardi ($92.60, $50.00). See full contest results and Handicapper of the Year standings.
“It’s always tough competition,” said Cecelia, who had won the contest a few years ago. Both her and her husband Larry have been playing the horses at Assiniboia Downs for over 40 years. Larry has also won more than once.
“We discussed a few things,” said Larry, the president of Ampere Electric Company in Winnipeg. “But by the time I got home she was out in the barn with the horses and she only had a few tracks left to play. So it was a little bit of handicapping skills and a little bit of luck.”
“It’s nice to beat my husband every once in a while,” said Cecelia.
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A Snapshot in Time
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
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A man and his horse. Does it get any better? Trainer John Cizik having a “moment” with June Sifton’s Liz’s Pride in 1978. The bay filly did all you could ask of a horse that year. She won all eight of her starts at the Downs and was honoured with the Sovereign Award as Canada’s top 2-year-old filly, making her the first Manitoba-bred ever to win the prestigious award. On the local front, she captured the following honours: Best Manitoba-Bred 2-Year-Old, Best 2-Year-Old, Best Filly or Mare, Manitoba-Bred Horse of the Year and Horse of the Year. A great champion by any standards! Gerry Hart photo. |
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$20 Million Saudi Cup Saturday
Defending champ Mishriff takes on newly crowned Kentucky Derby winner
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Mishriff wins the 2021 Saudi Cup. Coady photo. |
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The world’s richest horse race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), takes place this Saturday at King Adbulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, and defending champ Mishriff will become the richest racehorse in history if he can overcome the widest post of 14.
Mishriff will surpass superstar Australian race mare Winx in lifetime earnings if he can defeat a strong field that includes newly crowned 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun, who drew post six.
Mishriff has earned $15,167,491 from a record 7-2-2 in 14 starts, including victories in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) in England and the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) in France. He is widely regarded as one of the classiest racehorses in the world.
Mandaloun heads a strong American contingent in the race, including Midnight Bourbon, Art Collector, Happy Saver, and Country Grammar, but all will have to be at their very best to challenge Mishriff.
Trained by John Gosden, Mishriff defeated Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Charlatan and American Horse of the Year Knicks Go in last year’s Saudi Cup, but he may have to wear down more than just the American horses this year.
European Real World enters on a five-race winning streak and Japanese champion T O Keynes could also have an impact, as could Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Marche Lorraine. And if you’re looking for a possible overlay, France’s Sealiway defeated Mishriff in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot in his last start.
The Saudi Cup undercard of races begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday and all races will be available to bet on on HPIBet.com. ASD opens at 10 a.m. for wagering. And don’t forget the potential multi-million-dollar carryover in the Rainbow 6 Pick at Gulfstream Park.
It's going to be a big weekend for someone. Why not you!
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We spotted this beauty at Maggie Lawson's Dunroven Farm and couldn't help but wonder if he was daydreaming about April showers, May flowers, past victories and big wins to come, after the third snowiest winter in Manitoba history! |
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Do you have an interesting photo you would like showcased in an upcoming newsletter? Email your photos to [email protected].
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Baffert Given 90-Day Suspension
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Medina Spirit, draped in a garland of roses in the winner's circle after the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Paulick Report / Coady Photography. |
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On Feb. 21, 2022, some 296 days after the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit was disqualified from his win by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards. Second-place finisher Mandaloun has now been officially declared as the winner of the 147th Kentucky Derby. More from the Paulick Report here.
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Epicenter wins Risen Star Stakes convincingly by 2 ¾ lengths at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir. |
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There were not a ton of key 3-year-old races over the previous two weeks, but three horses appear to be heating up, led by Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Epicenter, and three may be cooling down. More from America's Best Racing here.
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Road to the Kentucky Derby 2022 |
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Feb. 26 - Rebel - Oaklawn
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Mar. 5 - John Battaglia - Turfway
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Mar. 5 - Fountain of Youth - Gulfstream
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Mar. 5 - Gotham - Aqueduct
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Mar. 5 - San Felipe - Santa Anita
Full list of Kentucky Derby prep races here.
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Carryover Watch & Programs |
MANDATORY PAYOUT ALERT! Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout of the Jackpot Pick 6 (races 7 through 12) on Saturday, Feb. 26. Pool estimated to be over $6 million! First race post time is 11 a.m.
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"I Won Bigg" Betting Group |
SATURDAY GROUP PLAY: The group would like to thank Guest Handicapper, George Williams for his insight at Monday's session. Congratulations to Ray West, who was the lucky winner of The Skeptical Handicapper book draw. This Saturday's play will focus on Tampa Bay as well as possibly playing Saudi Arabia or Santa Anita. Everyone is welcome. Can't make it to the track? Email Larry for a share.
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The Best of Bob
by ASD Historian Bob Gates
Were you in attendance when Michael Magee held his handicapping clinic at the Downs in the spring of 1976? It was a real treat! Michael passed in 2011. This week, Bob pays tribute to the man that was Canada's greatest horse racing analyst/commentator. Click here for more. (From July 2016)
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We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected]
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The Inside Track Archives |
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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