Century Mile

The Western Canadian Derby series has been revised following the announcement that the Manitoba Derby will not be part of the series this year due to a federal quarantine of the Winnipeg track. The removal of the Manitoba Derby will now see the series reduced to the GIII Canadian Derby at Century Mile and the B.C. Derby at Hastings Racecourse. The previous $100,000 three-leg sweep opportunity has been discontinued, but the $25,000 Owner/Trainer Point System Bonus will remain in place. "Though we are understandably disappointed by the unfortunate absence of...

Century Mile Racetrack and Casino will host a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, May 4. The event, which begins at 3:15 p.m., will be held in the suites at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. V.I.P. access tickets are $55 plus GST each and include access to the suites, a program, and appetizers. V.I.P. Premium access tickets are $70 plus GST and also include tables against the glass, a betting voucher, and one drink ticket per person. Limited tickets are available. For tickets please call the CTHS Alberta office at 403-229-3609 or...

Trainer Robert "Red" McKenzie doesn't get much ink south of the border here in the States, but he is a living legend on the western Canada racing circuit. With practically zero fanfare or notice, McKenzie added to his impressive list of lifetime accomplishments Friday night when he saddled Entitled Star (Roi Charmant), a 10-year-old mare he owns, to a 25-1 upset victory in a $4,000 claimer in the second race at Century Mile in Edmonton. The win was significant because McKenzie is 96 years old. The feat could very well...

MonmouthBets, the first legal and regulated mobile application for fixed odds betting on horse racing in the United States, has launched announced BetMakers Technology Group Friday. Approved by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the MonmouthBets app is now available for New Jersey residents to accept wagers on mobile devices ahead of Monmouth Park's 78th season beginning Saturday, May 13. In addition to being able to place bets on Monmouth Park races, New Jersey horseplayers can now place fixed odds wagers on races from Tampa Bay Downs, Canterbury Park,...

Assiniboia Downs, Century Mile and Hastings Racecourse have joined forces to create a new Western Canadian Triple Crown debuting in 2023. The series begins with the $125,000 Manitoba Derby Aug. 7, continues with the $200,000 GIII Canadian Derby Aug. 26 and concludes with the $125,000 GIII British Columbia Derby Sept. 16. In addition to $450,000 in purse money, there will be an additional $100,000 bonus should a horse win all three races. "To link a meaningful financial bonus to the already robust purse offerings should only elevate the participation and...

After two years of a virtual format, Alberta's Night of Champions will be held in person Friday, May 6 at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Nisku, Alberta. The Night of Champions is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of the Alberta Thoroughbred industry in the previous season with award winners announced in a variety of categories such as Leading Breeder, Leading Alberta Bred and Horse of the Year. This year's gala evening, dinner and awards presentation will be held in the Paddock Room at Century Mile beginning with...

Woodbine Entertainment and Century Mile have partnered up to give the winner of the GIII Canadian Derby free entry to the GIII Ontario Derby. The Canadian Derby will be run Aug. 20 at Century Mile in Edmonton, while the Ontario Derby is scheduled for Oct. 23 at Woodbine. Any runner that wins both events will earn connections a $50,000 bonus. "This exciting initiative provides a great opportunity to connect our sport across the country and further develop the Canadian Thoroughbred industry," said Tim Lawson, Woodbine's director of Thoroughbred racing. Woodbine's...

by Nigel Reid The memory of what COVID-19 restrictions did to Canada's racing industry during the past 18 months, allied to the looming spectre of the troubling new variant, has done little to dispel the general uncertainty surrounding the sport north of the 49th parallel. However, if the results of what was a truncated season are to be believed, there is cause for optimism over the manner in which the sport, especially at the country's flagship Woodbine facility in Toronto, bounced back in 2021. Indeed, rumours of Canadian racing's demise...