Donna Johnston (left) with sisters Marion and Linda (right) and their horse Wire Me the Money in the Assiniboia Downs backstretch. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) By G.S. Thompson Remembering Donna Johnston Longtime Assiniboia Downs trainer Donna Johnston...
By Travers Cummings Bengals over Ravens (Sunday noon): I have officially washed my hands of the Baltimore Ravens, and more specifically, Lamar Jackson. I don't know if he's more hurt than the team wants to say, but he just doesn't have any of the explosiveness he once...
Betterlucknexttime (#6) and Antonio Whitehall on their way to victory in the $40,000 J.W. Sifton Stakes. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Manitoba-breds put on quite the show again in 2025, with the top five earners all cracking the $50,000 mark...
By Travers Cummings Ravens over Steelers (Sunday noon): Both these teams seem to be heading in the wrong direction at a very crucial point in the season. The Ravens somehow managed to lose to the Bengals last week and showed absolutely no fight in doing so. They were...
John Whitehill won the November Player’s Choice Tourney at ASD with a huge bankroll of $136.60! By G.S. Thompson Retired bricklayer John Whitehill outdistanced the field to win the November Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament at ASD last Saturday with a big winner...
Happy Thanksgiving to any Americans that happen to read this! Texans over Colts (Sunday noon): The Houston Texans absolutely shut down Josh Allen and the Bills last Thursday. It was pure domination by the Texans’ defense that had Allen confused and running for his...
Judo (#3 between horses) and jockey Sven Balroop on their way to winning the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile for trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson There were some exceptionally well-managed horses at Assiniboia Downs in 2025,...
Rick Ball (center) holding on to Taboga in the winner’s circle. Remembering Rick Ball and the Horse Who FloatedMay 4, 1958 - November 5, 2025 By G.S. Thompson Veteran horseman, elite salesman, sought-after hockey player, part-time singer, and former Assiniboia Downs...
By Travers Cummings Packers over Giants (Sunday noon): I’ve said numerous times that as a young running quarterback, you cannot take too many hits, or else it’s going to shorten your career really quickly. Well, it finally caught up to Jaxon Dart, as he had to leave...
By G.S. Thompson Assiniboia Downs Track Photographer Jason Halstead has put together a fabulous group of photos from the 2025 live racing season at Assiniboia Downs. An exceptional Sovereign Award-winning photographer who covers numerous sports for the Winnipeg Free...