Judo and Sven Balroop win the 67th running of the R. J. Speers Stakes on Monday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson It was an action-packed week at ASD with five stakes and the incredibly popular wiener dog races, which brought thousands of new fans...
July 2026 ASD Handicapping Challenge winner Harold Wiens. By G.S. Thompson Harold Wiens won the July ASD Handicapping Challenge tournament with a total of $150.90, and he did it mainly on the strength of longshot Not True, who paid $64.80 in the sixth race last...
Whittier Park circa 1929. (Simms Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates How about a day at the races, Whittier Park style? “Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear (The Lone Ranger)” to Whittier Park, Saturday, September 14, 1935. Let’s set the scene....
Antonio Whitehall wins the 6th race on Tuesday aboard the longshot of the week, Not True ($64.80) for trainer Marion Johnston. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Jockeys Antonio Whitehall and Sven Balroop continued to battle it out for top spot in...
Celebration of Life memorial card. (Stacey Meek) By Track Historian Bob Gates There wasn't an empty seat to be found at Assiniboia Downs on June 15, 2026. Friends, family and members of the racing community packed the main floor to celebrate the life of Dr. Joe “Doc”...
Complete Overhaul, trained by Maria Stanford and ridden by jockey Neville Stephenson starts the longshots in race 3 paying $45.90 to win. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) If you enjoy cheering home longshots, Tuesday night's card at Assiniboia Downs was one to...
Tyrone Nelson, seen here in the 2011 Manitoba Derby post parade, recalls the night he rode four winners. (Stewart Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates Recently, we gathered to take the annual jockey colony photo. As we dispersed to go our separate ways, Tyrone Nelson...
Haggis ($93.20, #1 inside) and jockey Dario Dalrymple win the 6th race on Monday for trainer Brent Hrymak. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson A stream of muddy longshots, monster payoffs and excellent stakes performances highlighted the week at ASD,...
The Winnipeg Free Press Trophy (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Free Press Stakes celebrated its 66th running and our congratulations go out to the winning connections. The history of the race dates back...
Nu Soup for Baby (#2 inside) and jockey Kerron Khelawan on their way to a 39-1 upset in the third race on Wednesday for trainer Brian Phillips. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) Former Hastings Park trainer Brian Phillips pulled off a major upset this week with a...