2012 ASD Champions! Leading Rider Paul Nolan and Leading Trainer Shelley Brown (right) with ASD VP of Finance and Gaming Sharon Gulyas.
by Rob
The 2012 racing season drew to a close, leaving memories and moments that were incredibly exciting. Balooga Bull dominated over all comers, Portales nailed Tigger Town at the wire in the Winnipeg Futurity and Miss Victoriana made it three years in a row in the Matron. Personally, I enjoyed a great year. And my picks made a profit on the year!
Quit your job and play the races? Is that possible? Find out here.
I learned much more about the actual ins and outs of the game. For the first time ever, I participated in racing as more than just as a handicapper. Spending time in the groom school and in the day-to-day operations of the backstretch opened my eyes to some facets of the game I never could have dreamed of seeing.
I don’t have too many more thoughts to put to paper. I obviously look forward to the Breeders’ Cup this winter as well as some simulcast wagering, while going to school. The Jockey Club Gold Cup and the undercard at Belmont Park this Saturday, Sept. 29, will be part of our first ASD Pick-6 seminar of the winter.
JOIN THE PICK-6 DISCUSSION AND GET A FREE $5 SHARE!
Every Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Terrace Dining Room at Assiniboia Downs, racing columnist Ivan Bigg leads a workshop discussion about the last six races at Belmont Park to put together tickets on the Pick-6 and Pick-4. Everyone in attendance receives a free $5 share in the tickets and may buy extra shares if they wish. This Saturday, Sept 29 is particularly interesting because it’s a huge stakes day at Belmont and includes the $1 million Gold Cup. Everyone welcomed! Complimentary coffee and muffins will be served. Read more about what’s going on at the Downs NOW in The Insider newsletter for this week.
The last three items I have for the live racing season are my awards for the year. Let’s call them The Rob’s, a top 10 list of things to look forward to next year and my picks for the top horses in each category.
The Rob’s
2-Year- Old Colt: JON Q Trainer: Carl Anderson
2-Year-Old Colt Manitoba-Bred: Divine Wisdom Trainer: Ardell Sayler
2-Year-Old Filly: Arstar Trainer: Aaron Sayler
2-Year-Old Filly Manitoba-Bred: Arstar Trainer: Aaron Sayler
3-Year-Old Colt: Balooga Bull Trainer: Ardell Sayler
3-Year-Old Colt Manitoba-Bred: Danger Rules Trainer: Chad Torevell
3-Year-Old Filly: She`s Copacetic Trainer: Aaron Sayler
3-Year-Old Filly Manitoba-Bred: She`s Regal Trainer: Chad Torevell
Older Filly and Mare: Golden Stripe Trainer: Trainer: Shelley Brown
Older Filly and Mare Manitoba-Bred: Golden Stripe Trainer: Shelley Brown
Older Colt or Gelding: Lake Sawyer Trainer: Jared Brown
Older Colt or Gelding Manitoba-Bred: C.C. Ride Trainer: Clint Wilson
Sprinter: Balooga Bull Trainer: Ardell Sayler
Claimer of the Year: Scotty Q Trainer: Blair Miller
Claim of the Year: Dance the Dance Trainer: Shelley Brown or Unbridled Thoughts Trainer: Jared Brown
Best Ride: Jennifer Reid — Wheat City Stakes on Lake Sawyer
Best Training Job: Samurai Slam — Two allowance races late in year Trainer: Marjorie Paterson
Ten 10 Things to Look Forward To at ASD
10. Divine Wisdom, Wage War, Thedeanbetstwenty and Full Moon Rodeo battle it out in the Manitoba-Bred 3-year-old colt division.
9. Can Jennifer Reid finish second in the riding title or do better without her bug?
8. Lucy with Diamonds vs. She`s Regal in the Distaff for the new role of Champion Manitoba-Bred Older Mare.
7. The new riders coming to town. Who will they be? Rumor has it there will be a new female bug — daughter of a former Winnipeg rider.
6. Arstar in the 3-year-old filly division. Can she beat the open company as well as the Manitoba-Breds.
5. Can Shelley Brown repeat with another training title and go back-to-back as the first woman in ASD history to win not just one, but two training titles?
4. Jon Q, Poet, Da Hoot and others leading the locals in a charge for another Manitoba Derby win.
3. The 15% Pick-4 continues to grow in popularity and the payoffs become even more lucrative than they already are.
2. How many 2-year-old races will Ardell Sayler win next year? And who will challenge him for those wins?
1. Balooga Bull returning to defend his title as Horse of the Year.
Best Bets were proftable!
Record-to-Date: 23-7-9 from 62 starts
Wagered: $895.00 Returned: $943.50 Profit: +$48.50
Thank you for reading and have a great winter!
See you this Saturday, or next spring!
Rob MacLennan