Blog

Trainer Jason Homer with Falsely Accused, one of his favourites. (George Williams) by G.S. Thompson It was a chilly Thursday morning in the ASD backstretch when we caught up with trainer Jason Homer, who is here for the second year in a row from Washington State with...

Mike Nault with Thick, a purchase from the Ontario Yearling Sale last year. (George Williams) by G.S. Thompson  Trainer Mike Nault has been on a roll for the past three years, and it looks like he could be headed for another banner season in 2026. Nault has 20 horses...

Bill Drew with three-time stakes winner McKague at his farm in Oakbank. By G.S. Thompson Horse owner and retired agricultural consultant Bill Drew outdistanced the field to win the March Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament last Saturday with a whopping total of...

Groom/Assistant trainer Susan Crane with Welcometohollywood in trainer Jared Brown’s barn. (George Williams) By G.S. Thompson Trainer Jared Brown had his best season ever at Assiniboia Downs with regards to purse earnings in 2025, and he's assembled another powerful...

Trainer Lise Pruitt with Noble Escape. (George Williams) By G.S. Thompson The training track is open at ASD,  and more trainers are shipping in daily.  Over 100 horses are on the grounds now with trainers Wendy Anderson, Jared Brown, Terry Cole, Ray Gardipy, Tom...

Groom Meadow Mclean in trainer Mike Taphorn’s barn with double stakes-winner Mighty Mikee. (George Williams) By G.S. Thompson The frozen water bucket brigade is back at Assiniboia Downs, and they couldn't be happier about it. That includes Meadow Mclean, the...

By G.S. Thompson Kevin Palmer won the February Player's Choice contest in a squeaker last Saturday, besting Jeff Rozmus by $1.20, and he did it on the strength of a major cap horse. Palmer loves horses at 8-1 or better, and his strategy wasn't much different from that...

Nielson colt out of Fox Appeal. (Ziprick Thoroughbreds) by G. S. Thompson  The first thoroughbred foals of the year are on the ground in Manitoba! Ziprick Thoroughbreds reports they have three newborn dreams so far, but we're sure there are lots more out there. If you...

By G.S. Thompson The $1 Pick 4 at Assiniboia Downs has become one of the best bets in North American racing, with pools consistently topping $75,000 and many times going over $100,000, but many Pick 4 bettors leave money on the table. With less than 90 days left...

Remembering Jack Robertson December 7, 1938 – February 4, 2026 A Horseman’s Horseman By G.S. Thompson Highly respected Assiniboia Downs trainer Jack Robertson passed away on Wednesday, February 4, at the age of 87. The multiple stakes-winning trainer was well known as...