Blog
Steve Keplin, Jr. and Rachaad Knights Maintain Narrow Leads in Standings
Sophia’s Storm wins the 6th race on Wednesday for trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. Sven Balroop up. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. surged to the lead in the trainer standings Wednesday night with back-to-back wins, trainer Tom...
Off and Running
y Bob Gates Has there ever been a more iconic catchphrase in all of horse racing? Who remembers that it also doubled as the name of a weekly newspaper feature that ran in the United States and Canada from 1960 to 1972? These shortest of short stories were written by...
Million Dollar Plus Handles & Lucrative Pick 4 Payoff, Highlight Opening Week at ASD
Longshot Just a Pose (inside) wins the fifth race at ASD on Wednesday evening for trainer Lise Pruitt, giving new jockey Mathew Bennett his first ever win at ASD and triggering a huge Pick 4 payoff. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Two days of live...
Precious ASD Memories: 2025 Edition
Robert James Speers circa 1940 by Bob Gates, Track Historian Ever notice that time seems to move more quickly than it used to? The Kentucky Derby and Mothers’ Day are now firmly in the rearview mirror. This year’s race meet at Assiniboia Downs will mark several...
Badrie Back! Ready to Defend Title on Opening Night!
ASD 2024 Leading Rider Prayven Badre with his double stakes-winner Blazing Bo in trainer Mike Nault's barn. (George Williams) by G. S. Thompson Jockey Prayven Badrie is back to defend his 2024 riding title, and he's ready! But he’ll have quite a bit of competition for...
They’re at the Post for ASD Opening Day 2025!
And they're off! (Jason Halstead) By Track Historian Bob Gates When opening night rolls around on Tuesday, May 13th it will have been 230 days since we said goodbye to “live” racing on September 24, 2024. Yes, it’s been about 7 ½-months since last year’s race meet...
Gut Feeling Guides Smook to First Tournament Win at ASD
Player's Choice Tournament winner David Smook. by G. S. Thompson David Smook captured his first Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament title at Assiniboia Downs last Saturday, building his bankroll to an impressive $125.00 to claim the trophy and $1,000 prize money....
Caribbean Connection: Parris and Ellis Making Their Mark at Assiniboia Downs
Jockey Sachin Parris and trainer Andre Ellis with their longshot winner Orcadian Storm. (George Williams) by G. S. Thompson In the competitive world of horse racing, the partnership of jockey Sachin Parris and trainer Andre Ellis represents a compelling tale of...
Trainer Lise Pruitt Looking Forward to 2025 Live Season at ASD
Trainer Lise Pruitt with 2024 Rangatira Stakes winner Explosive. (George Williams) by G. S. Thompson "I can't wait to start," said trainer Lise Pruitt. "Can't wait." Pruitt is looking forward to the start of the 2025 live racing season at Assiniboia Downs on Tuesday,...
Judy Hunter: Saskatchewan Racing Royalty at ASD
Trainer Judy Hunter has won 459 races at a 21-percent clip over the course of her 47-year career. (George Williams) by G. S. Thompson When Judy Hunter walks through the backstretch at Assiniboia Downs, you can feel the weight of racing history moving alongside her. At...