Horse Racing

Horse Racing

Jason Halstead /Assiniboia Photo Pumpkin Princess (4), a 41-1 shot, with jockey Nathan Haar wins the sixth race at Assiniboia Downs on Wednesday, triggering a big payout for one lucky bettor.

Longshot triggers massive payout for second straight week

GEORGE WILLIAMS 6 minute read Friday, Sep. 25, 2026

Christmas came early for one lucky bettor at Assiniboia Downs on Wednesday, but it was more like Halloween for owner/trainer Robert Haar.

Haar had three horses in the sixth race and won it with 41-1 shot Pumpkin Princess, triggering a massive payout on the 20-cent ASD Jackpot Pick 5 for the second week in a row.

The Pick 5 only pays out the entire pool when there is a single winning ticket, which is rare. But last week, one lucky bettor had the lone winning combination, resulting in a windfall of $53,443.36.

Normally it takes weeks or even months to build the pool back up after someone scoops it, but punters saw the big payoff and quickly pumped the pool full again. This week, the Pick 5 paid even more.

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Horse Racing

Gunnn comes out blazing to claim Gold Cup

Gunnn comes out blazing to claim Gold Cup

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Preview

Gunnn comes out blazing to claim Gold Cup

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 18, 2026

ELSTON Gunnn fired both barrels out of the gate in the 69th running of the $50,000 Gold Cup on a rainy Wednesday evening when wiener dogs were running everywhere at Assiniboia Downs, and likely earned himself a championship in the process.

Named after an early Bob Dylan stage name, the three-year-old gelding by Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Mo Town used his speed early in the 1 1/8-mile race, opening a clear lead under jockey Shavon Townsend and getting a breather for the first half-mile before being pressured by favourite Go Go Boss down the backstretch, through the final turn and all the way to the wire.

No matter how hard he tried, Go Go Boss could not get by for trainer Robertino Diodoro. And while those two were going hoof-to-hoof on the front end through the final turn, 43-1 Saskatchewan-bred Al Reichert, trained by Robert Henson, was making a huge move four-wide on the turn. That set the rivals up for a thrilling stretch battle.

When the smoke cleared, Elston Gunnn was in front by a nose over Go Go Boss, with Al Reichert a head further back in third.

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Friday, Sep. 18, 2026

Horse Racing

GEORGE WILLIAMS PHOTO Groom Christine Reaves with Mechanic Susie in trainer Elton Dickey’s barn.

Mechanic Susie helps turn jockey standings around at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Mechanic Susie helps turn jockey standings around at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Two champions got back up off the mat this week at Assiniboia Downs. One of them was a human.

Antonio Whitehall won four races on Wednesday evening to wrest back the lead in the jockey standings from surging former Hastings Park rider Kerron Khelawan, and he crossed the finish line first in the last five races on the card. Whitehall was disqualified from winning the seventh race aboard Tap the Parlay when that filly caused some unavoidable interference early in the race.

The winners that stood for Whitehall included Neighneigh ($5.50) in the fourth race for trainer Demetris Topouzis; Mechanic Susie ($3.90) in the fifth for trainer Elton Dickey; Betterlucknexttime ($3.80) in the sixth race for trainer Mike Nault; and a nail biter in the seventh aboard Weekendindelmar ($5.00) for trainer Robert Maybin.

No earth-shattering prices in the bunch, but the fact that the three-time ASD riding champion came back with a huge night after being outscored 2-0 by Khelawan and being knocked out of top spot in the standings the night before spoke volumes.

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Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Horse Racing

GEORGE WILLIAMS Devon Gitten’s assistant trainer Rheco Gittens with Manitoba-bred Mighty Mikee, who handily won the $40,000 J. W. Sifton Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.

Mighty Mikee returns to Assiniboia Downs in grand fashion with 23-length victory

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Mighty Mikee returns to Assiniboia Downs in grand fashion with 23-length victory

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

Mighty Mikee is back, and in a big way.

The grey Manitoba-bred three-year-old won the $40,000 J. W. Sifton Stakes by 23 lengths on Tuesday for trainer Devon Gittens. Not only was his margin of victory the largest in North America on the day, but the time was sizzling fast. He was like the Mighty Mikee of old.

“That brought tears to my eyes,” said breeder Larry Falloon, who co-owns the horse with Anne Champion and McLaren Racing.

Last year’s co-champion CTHS Horse of the Year as a two-year-old off the strength of three wins. including the $40,000 CTHS Sales Stakes and the $40,000 Buffalo Stakes, Mighty Mikee was transferred to the barn of another trainer for the start of this season. After finishing last twice and second last once, he was transferred back to Gittens.

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Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

Horse Racing

Jockey's race their horses during the 165th running of the Kings's Plate horse race in Toronto on Friday, August 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paige Taylor White

Military Time installed as early 2-1 favourite for $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Military Time installed as early 2-1 favourite for $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026

FORT ERIE, ONTARIO - Military Time was installed as the early 2-1 favourite for the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on Thursday.

Military Time, second to filly Luster in last month's $1-million King's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack, headlines the eight-horse field for the second jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. The Prince of Wales Stakes, a 1 3/16-mile race on dirt, will be run Sept. 7 at Fort Erie Racetrack.

The race purse includes $100,000 for Ontario-bred horses should one win.

Luster won't be running in the Prince of Wales, leaving Wando as the last horse to win Canada's Triple Crown in 2003.

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Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026

Horse Racing

Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo Quarry (outside), shown here finishing a strong second in the Manitoba Derby for owner Henry S. Witt, Jr. and trainer Jerry Gourneau, won the $200,000 Canadian Derby for his connections at Century Mile in Alberta on Aug. 22, and could now be headed to the $250,000 Super Derby in Louisiana.

Owner credits entire team for Quarry victory in Canadian Derby

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Owner credits entire team for Quarry victory in Canadian Derby

George Williams 5 minute read Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

Eight-time leading Assiniboia Downs owner Henry S. Witt Jr. flew into Century Mile in Edmonton and won the biggest horse race of his life, the $200,000 Canadian Derby (G3), on Aug. 22. His winning steed was named Quarry, a horse he claimed at Churchill Downs for $80,000 on June 20. Quarry is basically a free horse now.

Witt bet $100 win-place-show on his horse and got back over $1,800, some of which went back to the grooms in trainer Jerry Gourneau’s barn, and that’s what he wanted to talk about. He’d already said his trainer was the best in the business, now he wanted to talk about the grooms.

“I was videoing the shed row, you know, just to show some of my buddies how professional everything looked,” said Witt, What he shot mostly showed young grooms doing unglamorous work well. The thing that stopped him was a groom named Juliana LeRoux, who also happens to be Quarry’s groom, standing in a stall with Bergheim, a horse with a reputation for leaning on people.

“Bergheim kind of wallows on you, leans on you a little bit,” Witt said. “And people were saying, ‘You better watch him,’ Anyway, I walk down the shedrow and I look back and she’s over there petting him, kissing him on the forehead, talking to him. And I said, ‘What the heck?’”

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Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

Horse Racing

George WIlliams Breeder Larry Falloon and Cindy Lukianchuk with sales topper, Hip #32, a half-sister to local champion Mighty Mikee, by Nonios, who sold for $24,000 to Anne Champion on Thursday.

Speculating steals show at Yearling Sale

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Speculating steals show at Yearling Sale

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Nonios sired the sales topper at the annual Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale on Thursday at Assiniboia Downs, but it was Speculating who stole the show.

A total of 45 yearlings went through the sales ring this year compared to 40 last year, and 26 were sold for an average price of $9,292.31 and total receipts of $241,600. Last year 21 yearlings were sold for an average of $10,407 and total receipts of $218,550. Twelve yearlings failed to reach their reserve price this year and seven were buybacks.

The sales topper was Hip #32, a half-sister to local champion Mighty Mikee, by Nonios out of the mare Piccadilly Line, who was consigned by breeder Larry Falloon and purchased by Anne Champion for $24,000. The next two highest prices went to sons and daughters of Speculating.

Hip #18, a gelding out of multiple champion mare Hidden Grace was purchased by Cam Ziprick for $21,000, and Hip #47, a full sister to Circle the Bird, was purchased for $20,500 by the owners of that recent stakes winner, Scott MacKenzie and Madison Leonard. Next in line was Hip #7, a colt by Following Sea out of a half-sister to Marine Stakes (G3) winner Brachetto, consigned by Dr. Ross and Brend McKague and Sharra Sage, and purchased by Don Danard for $20,000.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Horse Racing

Ross McKague photo Catawba joins 47 others that will be offered in the yearling sale at the sales pavilion in the Assiniboia Downs backstretch at 3:30 on Thursday.

All eyes on Brachetto ahead of Downs’ yearling sale

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Preview

All eyes on Brachetto ahead of Downs’ yearling sale

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

While Brachetto is at Woodbine attempting to become the first Manitoba-bred horse to win the King’s Plate on Saturday, a yearling colt out of his winning half-sister Aramon will be busy preparing to strut his stuff in the annual Manitoba CTHS Yearling Sale on Thursday.

And whether his famous relative wins or loses the 167th running of the $1-million event, he is sure to attract much attention.

Owned and bred by Manitoba veterinarian Dr. Ross McKague and wife Brenda, Brachetto became one of three Manitoba-breds to win a graded stakes when he claimed the Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine on June 27. The others were million-dollar earner and 2018 Canadian Champion Older Mare Escape Clause, bred by Cam Ziprick and Arnason Farms, and Misty Drone, bred by Phil Kives, who won the 1986 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct in New York.

Named Catawba, Brachetto’s relative is Hip no.7 in the yearling sale, and joins 47 others that will be offered at 3:30 on Thursday at the sales pavilion in the Assiniboia Downs backstretch. There will be others attracting attention too, including Hip #12, a half-brother to Escape Clause by Speculating; Hip #18, who is out of multiple champion mare Hidden Grace, and also sired by Speculating; and Hip #34, a gelding named No Bro by top Manitoba sire Nonios out of local overnight stakes winner Purrsistent.

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Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Horse Racing

JASON HALSTEAD / ASSINIBOIA PHOTO Dane Nelson celebrates after winning the Manitoba Derby on Monday aboard Western Warrior.

Western Warrior’s win should have come as no surprise

George Williams 6 minute read Preview

Western Warrior’s win should have come as no surprise

George Williams 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 7, 2026

THERE were so many reasons for Western Warrior to win the 78th Manitoba Derby on Monday that the price made no sense.

The morning line favourite paid $18.10, $10.70 and $6.80 across the board. Quarry, who ran second at 27-1, had been turned back in his previous start and came again anyway. He was live to anybody who watched that replay. The $1 Exactor came back $211.35.

Look at what was in front of the bettors. A trainer with a long list of good horses behind him. Hall of Fame connections among the owners and the help. A jockey with six riding championships. A devoted groom. And a pedigree that belongs in the big races.

The signs were everywhere.

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Friday, Aug. 7, 2026

Horse Racing

FILE - Taj Mahal and other horses compete during the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Preakness shifting back to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby, to be run on a Sunday

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Preakness shifting back to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby, to be run on a Sunday

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

A big change is coming to horse racing's Triple Crown, with the Preakness Stakes moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and being run on Sunday for the first time.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club announced the decision Wednesday. No Triple Crown race has ever taken place on a Sunday in the century-plus-old history of the series.

The shift marks a major change on the horse racing calendar, following significant debate and speculation. Except for 2020 during the pandemic, the Preakness has been on the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, since 1950.

Maryland Jockey Club CEO Bill Knauf acknowledged the tradition while also calling this the time to move the Preakness back.

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Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

Horse Racing

Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo Manitoba Derby winner Western Warrior holds the lead on the inside Monday night at Assiniboia Downs. Forty Twenty is the first horse to be euthanized at the racetrack this year after sustaining an injury to his front leg during the Derby race.

‘Catastrophic’ ending to eventful Manitoba Derby

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

‘Catastrophic’ ending to eventful Manitoba Derby

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

It had everything you could have wanted for the signature racing event of the season, including plenty of drama and excitement in front of a packed crowd at Assiniboia Downs.

Unfortunately, Monday night’s Manitoba Derby also served up another painful reminder of the potential perils of “The Sport of Kings” and what can occasionally happen when these magnificent animals are pushed to their limits.

Forty Twenty, a three-year-old bay colt who was one of the morning line favourites, looked to be in great shape as he approached the final turn and was near the lead in the nine-horse race.

But disaster struck as he approached the final turn and suddenly pulled up as the rest of the packed passed him.

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Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Horse Racing

JASON HALSTEAD / ASSINIBOIA PHOTO Manitoba Derby winner Western Warrior holds the lead on the inside Monday night at Assiniboia Downs.

Western Warrior finishes strong

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Western Warrior finishes strong

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 3, 2026

The smile — not to mention the relief — on Dane Nelson’s face said it all.

“A perfect race,” declared the veteran jockey, moments after riding Western Warrior to a dramatic victory in the 78th running of the Manitoba Derby on Monday night at Assiniboia Downs.

Indeed it was for the morning line favourite (2-1), who actually had slipped to 8-1 (fifth-best) by post time. He sat sixth in the nine-horse field at the midway point of the one-and-one-eighth mile marathon and really turned it on and found his stride down the stretch.

Nelson expertly manoeuvered the three-year-old colt through traffic as they approached the final turn, moving from fifth to first in the blink of an eye. Western Warrior then held on as longshot Quarry (20-1 on the morning line) — who he’d just overtaken for the lead — had a frantic, final push and nearly passed him at the wire.

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Monday, Aug. 3, 2026

Horse Racing

GEORGE WILLIAMS PHOTO Nellie Kennedy, Manitoba Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, speaks to a packed crowd at Assiniboia Downs during the Press Conference for the 78th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby on Friday, as Downs CEO Darren Dunn watches from the background with the trophies. Manitoba’s signature race goes Monday evening.

Plenty of good money to be made at Manitoba Derby

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Preview

Plenty of good money to be made at Manitoba Derby

GEORGE WILLIAMS 5 minute read Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

The 78th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby is nearly upon us, and the house will be packed on Monday evening at Assiniboia Downs for the biggest race of the year. And it’s not just the Derby people are coming for.

Monday’s racing card features a mandatory payout on the ASD 20-cent Jackpot Pick 5, which currently has a carryover of $476,656 that could swell to $2 million by post time.

Nine of the best three-year-olds in Canada have been entered for Manitoba’s signature race, and we have to agree with what track announcer Kirt Contois said at the Derby press conference on Friday: “This is one of the strongest fields ever assembled for our local Derby.”

Almost long gone are the days when you could buy or claim a potential Derby horse for $20,000 and win. It can happen, but a number of horses in this year’s Derby are coming out of races where you’d have to pay at least $100,000 to buy the winner. And even that wouldn’t guarantee success.

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Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

Horse Racing

Driver Jody Jamieson of Guelph, Ont., and Mels Legacy are shown in this handout photo, winning the opening leg of the 2026 National Driving Championship at Clinton Raceway in Clinton, Ont., on Sunday, July 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Lori Martin (Mandatory Credit)

Veteran driver Jody Jamieson punches his ticket to 2027 world championship

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Veteran driver Jody Jamieson punches his ticket to 2027 world championship

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

CLINTON, ONT. - Jody Jamieson will chase a third world driving championship in 2027.

Jamieson, of Guelph, Ont., qualified for the global event by winning the Canadian driving title Sunday at Clinton Raceway. Jamieson accumulated 60 points over eight races to finish just ahead of Stéphane Brosseau of L'Assomption, Que., who had 56 points.

Marc Campbell of Orwell, P.E.I., was third with 54 points. The top-three drivers each won two races, with Jamieson posting top-three finishes in three other legs.

The '27 world event will be held next summer in Canada. Jamieson, who captured global titles in 2001 and 2011, will be joined by Canada's James MacDonald, a two-time world champion who'll be the defending champion.

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Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Horse Racing

Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo Jockey Ciera Pruitt and Bromeo (inside) hold off Silver Spiced to win the Frank Arnason Sire Stakes on Tuesday at ASD.

Sweet sendoff for apprentice jockey

5 minute read Preview

Sweet sendoff for apprentice jockey

5 minute read Friday, Jul. 24, 2026

Three outside smoothies and a crunchy ride up the rail in the $40,000 Frank Arnason Sire Stakes on Tuesday vaulted apprentice jockey Ciera Pruitt into the top 10 at Assiniboia Downs for the first time this year.

The crunch came first. And she won’t be here much longer.

Pruitt led all jockeys on the week with four victories, the first coming aboard Manitoba-bred Bromeo in the 39th running of the Frank Arnason, for her mother, trainer Lise Pruitt. Bromeo and Pruitt duelled from the inside throughout and prevailed after a long, tight drive up the rail to take home the $24,000 winner’s share of the purse for longtime owner/breeder Barry Arnason.

“I just got really lucky, honestly,” said Pruitt. “Everything kind of fell into my hands. God was looking after me this week and it all worked out in my favour.”

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Friday, Jul. 24, 2026

Horse Racing

GEORGE WILLIAMS Trainer Cindy Krasner with her recent Derby Trial winner Rally Ralis.

Overlooked Really Ralis now the local favourite for Manitoba Derby

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Overlooked Really Ralis now the local favourite for Manitoba Derby

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, Jul. 17, 2026

Trainer Cindy Krasner now has the local favourite for the $125,000 Manitoba Derby on Aug. 3, with a horse nobody wanted.

The 69-year-old former Hastings Park trainer saddled Really Ralis to win the $50,000 Derby Trial on Monday, defeating previous Derby favourites Prime Suspect, who had romped through a pair of local allowance races earlier this year for trainer Steve Keplin Jr., and Elston Gunnn, who defeated Prime Suspect to win the Golden Boy Stakes for trainer Tina Birdwell.

Really Ralis went through the BC Yearling Sale with a $5,000 reserve and did not come close to meeting it. Buyers took one look at his size and passed. Krasner’s longtime client, Dennis Spence, stepped in with a number and the colt changed hands for $2,500.

“I thought, God, for $2,500 you could triple your money as a show horse if he couldn’t run,” said Krasner.

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Friday, Jul. 17, 2026

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