Top ASD trainer Jared Brown enjoying a walk in the backstretch Thursday morning. by G. S. Thompson Trainer Jared Brown is back in action at Assiniboia Downs with a 26-horse stable, and it appears he could be heading for another great year. Brown, who first arrived at...
by G. S. Thompson "Longshot Les" Buzzell captured his second Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament title at Assiniboia Downs last Saturday, but if you think he did it by taking wild stabs in the dark, think again. The 61-year-old Montreal native, who owns a...
Brian "Ivan Bigg" Gory By G. S. Thompson Brian Gory, known to many in the racing world as "Ivan Bigg," passed away on March 20, 2025, at 4:55 a.m. – symbolically on the first day of spring – after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81, just eight days shy...
Trainer Mike Taphorn with Manitoba-bred star No Show No Call. (George Williams) By G. S. Thompson Assistant Director of Racing Derek Corbel reports there are now 200 horses on the grounds as opening day Tuesday, May 13 fast approaches, with four more trainers shipping...
Player's Choice Tourney winner Roger Jones In a sport where conventional wisdom often dictates strategy, Roger Jones took the road less travelled at Assiniboia Downs last Saturday, and it led straight to the winner's circle. The veteran handicapper captured the...
by Bob Gates Jim and Hazel Wright are the ultimate example of one of those husband/wife partnerships in our Assiniboia Downs family. For the better part of 20 years they owned and operated the Downs. When the time came for them to step away, they did what they could...
by Bob Gates Can you believe that come opening day, Monday May 22, 235 days will have passed since our four-legged athletes were called to the post here at the Downs last September 28. So, who’s ready for some live racing! If your keeping track, 2023 will be season...
by Bob Gates One of the many challenges facing Jack Hardy when he opened Assiniboia Downs in 1958 was to establish races that would grow into annual contests steeped in tradition. In the first year of operation the only signature race with "tradition" was the...
by Bob Gates Following an 11-year absence (2009 -2019) the Downs 2020 stakes race calendar features the return of the Derby Trial. Jack Hardy resurrected the Manitoba Derby in 1960 and since that time 60 Derbies have been run at the Downs. During this same period, the...
Milestones & Memories Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 1970 Manitoba Centennial Derby by Bob Gates Welcome to the new "normal" as the Downs makes the final preparations to open for its inaugural "No Fans In The Stands" 2020 race meet. We have all lived the...