2025 Manitoba Derby winner Attack (checkered blinkers) and jockey N’Rico Prescod early in the running of the 77th Derby. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
By G.S. Thompson
The 77th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby resulted in record-breaking wagering, trainer Victoria Morse and Captive Kitten once again capped off a monster Pick-4, Weclometohollywood romped in the Manitoba Oaks, and Girls Night Out at the Downs was a fabulous success, capping off the best week of racing so far this summer.
Manitoba Derby-winning jockey N'Rico Prescod and trainer Craig Robert Smith with the Manitoba Derby trophy. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
The Manitoba Derby delivered a thrilling night of live racing, with a massive crowd on hand Monday and record-breaking wagering across the board on the seven-race card. Wagering on the Manitoba Derby reached $323,267, while total wagering for the evening topped $3,974,168, setting a new Derby record at Assiniboia Downs and the second highest handle in the track’s history. The previous record was set just one year ago on an eight-race program.
The winner of the 77th Manitoba Derby was #4 Attack, who paid $14.50 to win after heavy favourite #7 Take Charge Tom, who crossed the finish line first, was disqualified for interference shortly after leaving the gate, as a result of four different claims of foul, two by jockeys and two by trainers.
Connections of Manitoba Derby winner Attack in the winner’s circle after the Derby. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
A 3-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Munnings, Attack is trained by top Alberta trainer Craig Robert Smith, and owned by a partnership that includes Highfield Investment Group, Inc., Dialed In Racing Stable, Bruce Appleyard, Jamie Graham, Lucky Diamonds Racing, Smokin Guns Stable, James and Robert Bauder, and John and Leslie O’Neill. Attack was ridden to victory by N’Rico Prescod.
A major part of the excitement on Monday came from the ASD Jackpot Pick 5, which entered the evening with a carryover of $465,218. Fans responded in a big way, pushing new money wagering past $2 million. A winning 20-cent Jackpot Pick 5 ticket paid $2,469.46.
The stellar race card was highlighted by two additional stakes. The $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes was won by Bling Dancer ($6.20), trained by Robert Van Overschot for JDP Holdings Ltd. and ridden by Brian Boodramsingh. The $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile was won by favoured Judo ($7.80), trained by Steve Keplin, Jr. for owner James Parisen and ridden by Sven Balroop.
“The atmosphere tonight was electric,” said Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs. “To see record wagering, a packed house, and a beautiful summer evening for racing — it was the kind of night that showcases everything great about this sport and this racetrack. We are so grateful to our fans, horsepeople, and staff who helped make this a truly historic Manitoba Derby.”
Welcometohollywood Romps in Manitoba Oaks. Victoria Morse and Captive Kitten Once Again Cap Off Monster Pick 4.
Welcometohollywood (#2) on her way to victory in the Manitoba Oaks on Tuesday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
The highlight of Tuesday’s card was the $50,000 Manitoba Oaks, and 3-year-old filly Welcometohollywood offered up an incredible performance, but 10-year-old Captive Kitten’s win in the final race of the card stole more than a little thunder from his much younger rival at the betting windows.
Welcometohollywood ($2.30) recorded the largest winning margin in North America on Tuesday evening with a 15 3/4-length victory in the Manitoba Oaks for trainer Jared Brown and ownership partner John Ganas. Ridden by Antonio Whitehall and groomed by Susan Crane, the daughter of Omaha Beach-Arch of Troy by Archarcharch has now won two stakes in a row at the Downs. Last year’s Winnipeg Futurity winner has earned $US120,825 from a record of 5-4-2 in 14 starts, and has everyone wondering…
“Just how good is this filly?”
Welcometohollywood gets a pat from co-owner John Ganas after their victory in the Manitoba Oaks. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
Captive Kitten ($32.60) won the seventh race on Tuesday’s card, and for the second time in two years capped off a monster Pick 4. On July 3, 2024 he went from last to first to win the final race on the card and paid a whopping $110.70 to win for trainer Victoria Morse and jockey Douglas Badaloo, resulting in a $1 Pick 4 that paid $6,237.70.
Captive Kitten, jockey Javaniel Patterson, and groom Charlotte Johnston enter the winner’s circle after winning the 7th race on Tuesday, triggering a monster Pick 4 payoff. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
On Tuesday, he went from last to first again, sprinting through a hole along the rail and going on to win by 1 ¾-lengths under jockey Javaniel Patterson, who was returning from an injury on his first mount back. Captive Kitten combined with the winners of races 4-6: Fresno Chile ($53.80), Flying Tex ($29.70), and Always the Lil One ($7.40) to produce a massive $1 Pick 4 payoff of $22,913.95! Wow!
Fancy hats and outfits were everywhere at ASD on Wednesday’s Girls Night Out! (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
Wednesday night ended the week in fine fashion, literally, as the female set came out in droves for the first Girls Night Out, which runs Wednesday evenings at ASD through August. Fancy hats and beautiful outfits were everywhere in yet another huge crowd on a beautiful summer evening of racing, which once again begged the question, “Where are all these people coming from?” One thing is for sure, the Downs has become the “hot” place to be on race nights in Winnipeg.
The secret is out.
It’s no longer a secret. ASD is the place to be on warm summer evenings in Winnipeg, especially on Wednesday’s Girls Night Out. (George Williams Photo)