Stakes-Packed Week at Downs, Wiener Dog Races a Huge Hit with Fans

Judo and Sven Balroop win the 67th running of the R. J. Speers Stakes on Monday. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)

By G.S. Thompson

It was an action-packed week at ASD with five stakes and the incredibly popular wiener dog races, which brought thousands of new fans to the Downs.

The 67th running of the $50,000 R. J. Speers kicked off the stakes on Monday and the result was never in doubt after the first 200 yards, when favoured Judo was allowed to open an easy lead early under jockey Sven Balroop. It was all coasting from there, and Judo easily held on to defeat the hard-trying Bergheim, who gave his best but ended up 5 ¼-lengths back in second.

A triple stakes-winner for trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. and owner James Parisien at the Downs last year, Judo was winning the Speers for the second consecutive year. Keplin, currently second in the standings with 18 wins, continues to win at an amazing 45 percent clip.

Next on Monday’s agenda was the 32nd running of the $50,000 Derby Trial, and once again the Derby applecart was upset when Really Ralis ($5.80) powered home under jockey Kerron Khelawan to win by three lengths over Golden Boy Stakes winner Elston Gunnn, with favoured Prime Suspect another half length back in third. Conditioned by former Hastings Park trainer Cindy Krasner for owner Dennis Spence, Really Ralis looks like he is still improving, and the 1 1/8-miles of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday, August 5 should be right in his wheelhouse.

On Tuesday, the girls were at it in the 33rd running of the $50,000 Jack Hardy Stakes and Evolution ($7.90) put on a show for trainer Will Tourangeau and owner Cattleman’s Club Stable. Duelling early from the inside with heavy favourite, Chantilly Stakes winner What a Force, Evolution opened up under jockey Antonio Whitehall on the backstretch and never looked back, drawing off to win by an impressive 11 ¾-lengths over Steal Your Soul, who rallied to grab second by three-quarters of a length over What a Force, who tired after trying to get to the winner.

The Tuesday card also included the 49th running of the $50,000 Canada Stakes, which turned out just about perfect for trip note handicappers when Mad About Marie ($8.20) turned the tables on favourite Dontgiveupthefight to defeat that one by 3 ¼-lengths under jockey Sven Balroop. Dontgiveupthefight had won the local La Verendrye Stakes in her previous start with a perfect trip, while Mad About Marie was checked early and ended up six wide in that race. Not this time, and she gave trainer Steve Keplin. Jr. his second stakes win of the week, this one for ownership partners Drop’en Racing, P Dubb Racing, Chelbi Laducer and James Keplin.

On Wednesday night, six Manitoba-sired 3-year-old fillies went to post in the 20th running of the Hazel Wright Sire Stakes, and Rise Again rose to the occasion for trainer Mike Nault and owners A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds. The dark bay daughter of Speculating-Marianda by Going Commando gave jockey Antonio Whitehall his second stakes win of the week when she wore down her stablemate Clippity Clop (by Vengeful Wildcat) to win by 1 ¼-lengths, with Silvercreek Annie (Kentucky Bear) a further two lengths back in third. An $11,000 purchase at the Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale in 2024, Rise Again had now earned over $50,000.

Also of note on the week was trainer Jason Homer scoring his 300th win in the first race on Wednesday with longshot Rocky Top Mischief ($24.10), and jockey Arthur Budhu winning his first race of the season aboard  longshot Dangerous Game ($50.60) in the sixth race for trainer Sherri Laing.

And of course, we couldn’t forget the wiener dog races on Monday, which brought out hundreds of new, loud, and happy fans. The dashing dachshunds made these races one of the most entertaining events ever held at the Downs. The winner, named Hershey, is proudly owned by Allison Frank. But the biggest winner on Monday?

The crowd.