Blog
Nikkitysplit wins Hazel Wright, Whitehall stays hot, Pruitt gets fifth lifetime win
Mechanic Susie, one of four winners for jockey Antonio Whitehall this week. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Antonio Whitehall was the hot jockey for the second week in a row, trainer Jason Homer scored a hat trick and helped apprentice Ciera...
Queen’s Cup and other Historic Trophies
Queen's Cup (Jason Halstead) By Track Historian Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby, Winnipeg Futurity, Gold Cup and R. J. Speers combine for more than 300 years of memorable races. This week our story is about the hardware that’s up for grabs, and not so much the history of...
Birthday Jackpot: McIvor Captures First ASD Handicapping Challenge Victory
Dwayne McIvor and family having fun at ASD. By G.S. Thompson Sometimes the stars just align for you. Just ask Dwayne McIvor, who celebrated his 45th birthday on July 8th by capturing his first ASD Handicapping Challenge victory in dominant fashion, turning his $48...
Pleasant Memories of Henry Bruce Boreham
H. Bruce Boreham, Downs Director of Public Relations. (Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame) By Track Historian Bob Gates On June 1, 1959 Assiniboia Downs General Manager, A. G. “Scotty” Kennedy announced that the Downs had appointed its first Director of Public Relations....
Antonio Whitehall Gets Hot, Wins Five Races Including Frank Arnason Sire Stakes
Mike Nault’s assistant trainer Brittany Bergen leads Frank Arnason Sire Stakes winner Betterlucknexttime out of the winner’s circle on Wednesday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) by G.S. Thompson Antonio Whitehall was the hot jockey in a lightning-shortened week of...
Steve Keplin, Jr., Prayven Badrie Win Three of Four Stakes, Open Up in Standings
Leading trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. (right holding trophy) was all smiles after winning the Chantilly Stakes with Ginas Serenade on Wednesday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. won three of the four stakes and opened up a big...
A Day at the Races
Jockey Ray Stewart, a native of Gladstone, Manitoba, seen here in Calgary, 1950 (Ray Stewart family) By Track Historian Bob Gates A funny thing happened on the way to this week’s tale of the turf—the original idea was set aside, thanks to a chance discovery. The title...
Bynoe and Badrie in Heated Battle for Top Spot, Gourneau and Nault Score Hat Tricks
Jockey Prayven Badrie returns aboard Sharp Likeness after winning the fifth race on Tuesday for trainer Jason Gourneau. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) by G.S. Thompson Jockeys Praven Badrie and Damario Bynoe stole the show this week at ASD! Badrie won four races...
95 Years of the Winnipeg Futurity – In Pictures
Winnipeg Futurity Announcement - Manitoba Free Press, March 19, 1928. by Track Historian Bob Gates As the end of June isn’t far off, we can look forward to seeing the “babies” (two-year-olds) make their way to the races. The stakes races for the youngsters include the...
Trainers Steve Keplin, Jr., Devon Gittens hot, Pick 4 Pays 9K!
Dragon Drew ($43.10) and Ciera Pruitt win the seventh race on Tuesday night at ASD for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. resulting in a massive $1 Pick 4 payoff of $9,039.10. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Trainers Steve Keplin, Jr and Devon Gittens were...