Blog
First Stakes of 2026 Feature Two Big Upsets, Line Dancing a Hit on First Western Wednesday
Groom Charlotte Stevens leads Bergheim out of the winner’s circle after his victory in the $50,000 Beau Blade Stakes on Tuesday for trainer Jerry Gourneau. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson The first stakes races of the 2026 season at ASD got...
Omaha Warrior: The Fountain of Youth
Danelson's Omaha Warrior is HBPA's Top 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding for 2025 (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates You might wonder why a three-year-old gelding with four career starts somehow rates a historical blog story, and that’s a fair...
Jason Homer Showcases Exceptional Talent, Prime Suspect Romps Again
,First-time starter Acquire and Shavon Townsend win the sixth race on Wednesday for trainer Jason Homer, giving Homer a 1-2-3 finish in the race. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Most people consider trainer stats and percentages when they’re...
Honouring the Master of K5 Stables and the Race that Bears His Name
Some of the K5 awards on display at the K-Tel head office trophy case 2013 (Bob Gates photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates It’s hard to believe that K5’s Philip Kives has been gone for ten years. The memory of April 27, 2016, remains strong. In the late afternoon,...
Gourneau Soars to Lead in Trainer Standings, Wins Five of Six Races on Wednesday
Leading trainer Jerry Gourneau was all smiles after scoring a natural hat trick in the first three races on Wednesday. He went on to win five of the six races on the card. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Trainer Jerry Gourneau served notice on...
The Pilgrimage
Dick Armstrong, September 28, 1940 – November 16, 2009 (Gerry Hart photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates Five, four, three, two, one, and they’re off! On May 12, 2026, Assiniboia Downs launched season #69 and once again my universe was back in sync. It was a cool spring...
Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week
Jockey Antonio Whitehall congratulated by trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. after winning the third race on Wednesday with Prime Suspect. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G. S. Thompson Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week2025 Manitoba...
Memories of Milestones & Anniversaries
Original Manitoba Derby Trophy 1884 - 1934 (Speers Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.”- Rose Kennedy The 2026 season is now underway and isn’t it grand to have the ponies back in town. For more than 100 years,...
Top Trainers Hit the Entry Box for Opening Evening Tuesday, May 12!
7-time leading ASD owner Henry S. Witt, Jr. (left) and 5-time leading trainer Jerry Gourneau will have a large and powerful stable at the Downs once again for 2026. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Trainers began filling the entry box for the first...
Galloping Good Times Return to Assiniboia Downs
Racing returns to the Downs May 12, 2026 (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates “Good times never seemed so good.”– Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond So good, so good… Well, at long last, live thoroughbred racing returns to the Downs. There was a...
Certified Angus Prime Rib Buffet.
Every live race night at ASD!
Girls Night Out at ASD!
Every Wednesday in August!
