TravyFootball by Travers Cummings Before I dive into my season preview, I want to give a quick shoutout to the late Brian Gory—aka Ivan Bigg, aka Mr. Tomato, and a few other aliases he was known by. Brian was the one who encouraged me to start writing this weekly...
2022 Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale graduate No Show No Call was the leading money earner and Manitoba-bred Horse of the Year at Assiniboia Downs in 2024. His half-brother is Hip #7 in this year’s sale. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson The annual CTHS...
L'Enjoleur on the cover of the 1976 Stakes Book highlighting stats from 1975. By Track Historian Bob Gates Let’s see, where were we? Oh yeah, 1975, the year of leisure suits, PEZ candy and heaven forbid, Disco. Events of the time included: Movies: One Flew Over the...
Designated Hitter (inside) and Javaniel Patterson hold off Totalizer and Rachaad Knights in the third race on Wednesday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson The public was especially sharp this week at ASD, as the first or second choices on the tote...
Jim Wright with General Manager Bill Clubb (Gerry Hart) By Track Historian Bob Gates If you remember Mood Rings, Rubik’s Cubes or Pet Rocks then you were a graduate of 1975. News events of the day included: Jimmy Hoffa disappears from a restaurant parking lot in...
August ASD Handicapping Challenge winner James Werry. By G.S. Thompson A decision made on post parade proved to be the winning move for veteran handicapper James Werry on Tuesday night, who won the ASD Handicapping Challenge by $8.70 with a bankroll of $60.10. Werry...
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...
By Track Historian Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is now in our rearview mirror, and we still have another half of the 2025 racing season to enjoy. Where does the time go? Speaking of time, track photographer Jason Halstead is in his 10th year with Assiniboia Downs. It...
Manitoba Derby favourite Take Charge Tom on his way to winning the Derby Trial for trainer Robertino Diodoro and owner Randy Howg. Rasheed Hughes in the saddle. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson The 77th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby is set...
By Bob Gates, Track Historian With the Manitoba Derby just around the corner, how about another one of our Photo Blogs? They say a picture is worth a thousand words—so let’s not waste any time; we’ve got a lot to say. The Derby photo archive is loaded with plenty of...