Punters bet big at track in 2024

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This article was published 27/09/2024 (391 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Assiniboia Downs wrapped up its 2024 live racing season Tuesday with the second-highest wagering total in the track’s history. Despite facing significant obstacles, the 50-day meet generated a total handle of $62,130,464.

That total might have been at least a million dollars or more higher if not for a precautionary 45-day mid-summer quarantine due to an equine virus. The quarantine was lifted just before entries were taken for the 76th Manitoba Derby, but while it was in place it resulted in some smaller fields that affected wagering. The single-season wagering record of $63,264,000 was set at the Downs in 2020, but 2024 numbers topped the 2023 waging total of $60,962,674.

The quarantine didn’t stop the people from coming out, and large crowds continued to flock to the Downs for the romance of racing on warm summer evenings. They also wagered a new record of $3,743,784 on Manitoba Derby Day.

“We are delighted with the results from the season,” said Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs. “We had a great start to the season and had to make some pretty significant changes to ensure the highest-quality product we could deliver was put forward for our valued customers. We are so thankful to all of the fans, horse people, and staff that adjusted with us and delivered a season to be proud of, setting another near-record wagering year in the process.”

The highlight of the final day of the season was the mandatory payout of the Jackpot Pick 5, which had a $236,529 carry-over pool heading into the day, and punters wagered an additional $1.235 million into the pool. A $1 winning ticket on the Jackpot Pick 5 returned $1,765 and total wagering for the final day was very strong at $2,613,033.

Jockey Prayven Badrie got off to a hot start in 2024 and never looked back, leading the jockey colony from start to finish to take his second jockey title at the Downs. Badrie tied for top spot with Antonio Whitehall in 2018, but this time the honours were all his with 53 wins, 10 more than Damario Bynoe (43), followed by Whitehall (40), Ronald Ali (34) and apprentice Rachaad Knights (34). While Whitehall didn’t win his fourth title, he had a very good season and did achieve a significant career milestone on the final day of the meeting with his 500th winner at the Downs.

Lee Delaronde secured his first training title with 40 wins after taking over from Jerry Gourneau, who was serving a suspension. Gourneau was reinstated at the end of the meeting. Delaronde finished the season with 16 victories more than Jared Brown and Mike Nault (tied at 24), followed by Wendy Anderson and Devon Gittens (tied at 21).

Henry S. Witt, Jr. continued his multi-year dominance in the owner category with 46 wins and US$445,845 in purse earnings. Witt has now won the leading owner title at the Downs an amazing seven times. A2 Thoroughbreds, the partnership and A2 Thoroughbreds and True North Thoroughbreds, Wind Dancer Stable and Railside Stable rounded out the top five in the owner standings.

Manitoba-bred No Show No Call led all horses in earnings with US$77,137, Bricklayer, a former claimer, won the $125,000 Manitoba Derby for owner/trainer Larry Gourneau, Jr., and Magic Tiger became the seventh horse in Downs history to win consecutive Gold Cups, while campaigning for trainer Wendy Anderson and her ownership partners Wind Dancer Stables and Bill Meikle.

The track implemented several horseplayer-focused initiatives, including one per cent takeout reductions on various bet types (Exactor, Double, Triactor, Superfecta, Pick 3, Jackpot Pick 5, and Classic Hi-5) and added rolling Doubles on every card. The Downs also eliminated the run-up at the start in all races, utilizing the Equibase GPS System in partnership with Total Performance Data and Gmax Technology Ltd. for more precise timing and distances.

The popular ASD Live Show on YouTube hosted by “Kirt & Stretch” continued to attract fans from around the world. The entertaining and insightful banter, picks and analysis from the dynamic duo made their show one of the best on the Internet. They even cashed a few big show parlays, which delighted them as much as it did fans.

Bettors are like that.