Celebration of Life memorial card. (Stacey Meek) By Track Historian Bob Gates There wasn't an empty seat to be found at Assiniboia Downs on June 15, 2026. Friends, family and members of the racing community packed the main floor to celebrate the life of Dr. Joe “Doc”...
Complete Overhaul, trained by Maria Stanford and ridden by jockey Neville Stephenson starts the longshots in race 3 paying $45.90 to win. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) If you enjoy cheering home longshots, Tuesday night's card at Assiniboia Downs was one to...
Tyrone Nelson, seen here in the 2011 Manitoba Derby post parade, recalls the night he rode four winners. (Stewart Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates Recently, we gathered to take the annual jockey colony photo. As we dispersed to go our separate ways, Tyrone Nelson...
Haggis ($93.20, #1 inside) and jockey Dario Dalrymple win the 6th race on Monday for trainer Brent Hrymak. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson A stream of muddy longshots, monster payoffs and excellent stakes performances highlighted the week at ASD,...
The Winnipeg Free Press Trophy (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Free Press Stakes celebrated its 66th running and our congratulations go out to the winning connections. The history of the race dates back...
Nu Soup for Baby (#2 inside) and jockey Kerron Khelawan on their way to a 39-1 upset in the third race on Wednesday for trainer Brian Phillips. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) Former Hastings Park trainer Brian Phillips pulled off a major upset this week with a...
Assiniboia Downs History Case (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates The “Racing Through Time” display in the front lobby has a fresh look to it for the 2026 racing season. Have you noticed? You know the area we’re talking about, just inside...
Jockey Ciera Pruitt (outside) gets up just in time to win the 6th race on Wednesday for her mom, trainer Lise Pruitt, aboard longshot Bromeo. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) Apprentice jockey Ciera Pruitt won her first two races of the meeting, former Hastings...
Jack Robertson Celebration of Life, May 27, 2026 (Robertson Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates Some of you might recognize our title as a 1993 song by Blue Rodeo. Songwriter Jim Cuddy used the lyrics to describe the “familiar, timeless feeling of a deep connection...
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...