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Time flies when you’re having fun.
And an 18-hour workday this past Tuesday absolutely blew by, thanks to the subject matter I was sinking my teeth into.
It was yet another reminder of how much I love what we do at the Free Press, where actual journalism still matters. Both on the written and photo side of things, providing the type of quality content you can’t find anywhere else in this province.
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I arrived at Assiniboia Downs just after 5:30 a.m. and pulled out of the parking lot around 11:30 p.m. The result is a 4,000-word feature laid out beautifully — along with stunning pictures from my talented colleagues Mikaela MacKenzie and John Woods — in the pages of Saturday’s print edition (and it will also be available online later today.)
The topic was a day in the life of the Downs, and what better occasion than the start of their 69th season of live racing.
Fleet of Foot in the paddock before the first race on opening day of the 2026 race season at Assiniboia Downs. (John Woods / Free Press)
We tried to cover every aspect of the extensive operation:
- the life of jockeys and trainers and horses on the backstretch,
- the morning runs on the training track,
- inside the facility itself, preparing to welcome the first guests of the season,
- the broadcast booth where the track’s feed is sent around the world,
- the kitchen preparing the signature buffet,
- the paddock where horses parade pre-race,
- the starting gate and the finish line, and
- last but not least, back in the barns for some nighttime routines.
I try to do a big horse-racing feature every Jets off-season, starting with the 2024 piece on paralyzed jockey Alyssa Selman.
Last year it was all about the incredible Pruitt family – legendary rider Jerry, his wife, Lise, who now works as a trainer and their young daughter, Ciera, who had a memorable rookie season as a jockey.
Now comes this latest effort, which began as an ambitious idea from my editor, Scott Gibbons, that I was happy to bring to life. Sleep deprivation and all.
Trainer Steve Keplin Jr’s horse Ceepeegee (left), takes the final stretch to beat Just Trust Me on opening day. (John Woods / Free Press)
I spent all day yesterday (morning, noon and night) writing it, and I’m thrilled with the finished product. I hope you enjoy it as well. Even if horse racing isn’t your thing, I feel like the timeline nature of the story will keep your heart racing.
I’ve been going to the races since I was a kid, so it was fascinating to get such an eye-opening, up-close look at things. My favourite stories to work on are ones where I learn a lot along the way, and this certainly fits the bill.
Let me know what you think once you see it.
I was also served up a reminder of the Free Press’s connection to the community at last Thursday’s live Winnipeg Jets mailbag. Teammate Ken Wiebe and I hosted the event at Pregame Sports Bar & Lounge on Provencher Avenue.
It was a terrific evening filled with food, conversation and questions about the hockey club. Thanks to colleague Erin Lebar for organizing, and sports editor Grace Anne Paizen, editor Paul Samyn and president and CEO Mike Power for coming out as well.
The sold-out event was exclusively open to members of our patron program, which helps support the local journalism we are doing. If you’d like to get on board — and ensure you can attend the next hot-stove session we hold — go here to learn more.
Speaking of the Jets, I have a piece in tomorrow’s print edition (and online now) that is sure to spark some debate.
It’s about Patrik Laine and a potential reunion this summer with the organization that drafted him second overall a decade ago.
I make the case as to why it makes plenty of sense — not to mention dollars and cents — for the Jets, and Laine, to seriously consider it.
Check out the column and feel free to send me your feedback.
Last, but not least, I’m happy to be taking on a bit more Winnipeg Goldeyes coverage in the coming months.
I teed up the 2026 season last week — spending a chilly afternoon down at “spring” training — and I’ll have a story coming Friday night after the team’s opener in Milwaukee.
I’ll also be covering the first homestand, which starts next Tuesday.
Memo to Mother Nature: Smarten up. Time to bring some proper weather for the Boys of Summer, don’t you think?
Enjoy the long weekend, folks.
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