‘Over the top’ excitement at Downs

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This article was published 24/05/2024 (839 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

History was made on opening day at Assiniboia Downs last Monday in front of a huge crowd, and the betting followed suit.

The Treaty One flag was raised in the infield at the Downs on Monday during a well-attended cultural ceremony that included speeches, prayers, traditional drum music, Indigenous dancers and for the first time in history, Indian Relay Racing was held between the live races.

The most exciting part of the Indian Relay Races occurred in front of the winner’s circle, and fans loved it as the riders jumped off their first horse — that may have slowed down, or not — and then ran to their next horse, vaulted onto it bareback and took off at a full run. Some mounts/dismounts were silky smooth, others not so much, but from an extreme sports entertainment perspective, it made you want to be out there doing it.

Those who couldn’t participate in the Indian Relay Races found a different way to get their ya-ya’s out at the betting windows, where new records were set for wagering. Opening day betting increased by 24 per cent over last year and came in at $1.36 million, even though there were only six races instead of the traditional seven. This represented a 44 per cent increase in average wagering per race over last year.

The $25,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 pool ballooned to $105,124 on opening day and paid $2,430.05 for a $1 ticket, with potential payoffs of more than $65,000 listed for some of the longshots in the 11-horse field before the horses went in the gate. The monster payouts didn’t escape the bettors in the Jackpot Pick 5 however, as one lucky bettor won $13,397.97 for a 20-cent ticket.

“The excitement around opening day was over the top this year,” said ASD CEO Darren Dunn. “Monday’s attendance was one of the largest we have seen in recent memory. The wagering was fantastic, and the atmosphere was electric, especially with the Indian Horse Relay Racing as part of the Manito Ahbee Festival and the historically important flag raise. It sets the tone for a great season!”

The Indigenous presence at the track was further magnified on Monday when Indigenous trainers swept the card. Reigning leading trainer Jerry Gourneau won twice, while single victories went to Tom Gardipy, Jr., Will Tourangeau, Marvin Buffalo and Mike Nault. Trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. added another Indigenous victory on Tuesday to make it seven-for-14 for this talented group of conditioners.

Strong wagering continued into Tuesday’s eight-race card, with fans from around the world pumping another $1,181,690 through the mutuel windows, including another $101,488 in the Pick 4 pool. As a result, the guaranteed Pick 4 pool has been raised to $50,000 starting on Monday, May 27.

Jockeys Damario Bynoe and Prayven Badrie were the hot jockeys over the first two days of racing, with three wins apiece. Sven Balroop, Ronald Ali and Tim Tarasenco won two races each, and singles went to Stanley Chadee, Jr., and new apprentice Rachaad Knights.

Additional winning trainers on Tuesday included Jamie Hartmann, who returned triumphantly to the winner’s circle after four years off, along with Carl Anderson, Devon Gittens, Wendy Anderson, Mike Taphorn, Doug Mustard and newcomer Carlos Moreno from Turf Paradise.

Moreno worked for Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, when that trainer conditioned two-time Horse of the Year John Henry and multiple Champion Older Mare Bayakoa, and he found himself up against 80-year-old Doug Mustard in Race 5 on Tuesday. Mustard, who hadn’t won a race for two years, had favourite Miss Z in the race, while Moreno saddled longshot Downthestreetdebby.

Miss Z and jockey Tim Tarasenco duelled outside Downthestreetdebby and Dane Dawkins and appeared to put that rival away in mid turn, but “Debby” had different ideas and came back to challenge Miss Z in early stretch.

The pair duelled desperately down the lane, with Miss Z holding a razor-thin margin with 50 yards left to go. Debby surged to a slim lead 20 yards from the wire and it looked like Mustard would have to wait once again to get his winning mojo back. Miss Z came back in the final jump to snatch victory from defeat and Mustard became the most popular winner on the first two cards of the season.

On the Saturday before live racing, Mustard, who has been at Assiniboia Downs since it opened in 1958, was honoured with the Manitoba HBPA Award of Distinction at the annual HBPA/CTHS Awards celebration. He was overcome with emotion as he addressed the crowd, and the day after winning with Miss Z, he talked about how he was offered $1,500 more than he paid for her right after the race he claimed her out of. “I don’t need the money,” said Mustard. “I need a horse.”

He got a good one.