Darren Dunn

A quarantine put in place at the barns at Assiniboia Downs following a case of equine virus has led to a schedule change at the Winnipeg track. Starting the week of July 15, racing will shift to a two-day Monday-Tuesday schedule until Aug. 12, after which the regular three-day Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday schedule will resume. Following the identification and immediate containment of a single case of equine infectious anemia, the barns at Assiniboia Downs were placed under quarantine to prevent any further spread. The quarantine allows horses stabled at the track to...

In an effort to provide more accurate and consistent timing for horses across all distances, Assiniboia Downs will eliminate the run-up to the start pole for all the races at its upcoming season. Horses will now be clocked as soon as they leave the starting gate at the Winnipeg oval. In the past, horses had been given about 25 feet to run before the clock starts. "We know that the accuracy of the distances and timing of our racing is critical to our horseplayers, and we want to take full...

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...

Assiniboia Downs recorded near-record wagering for the 2022 meet, which ended Sept. 28. with the second-highest wagering handle in the track's history. A total of $55,326,730 was wagered over the 50-day meet, which was second only to the amount recorded in 2020. "To conclude this season with the positive results we achieved is a true testament to the team we have out here working for us, and the will and determination of the horse people involved at all levels," said CEO Darren Dunn. "It seemed challenge followed us throughout 2022....

A determination has been reached in the unusual stretch run of Assiniboia Downs Racetrack's fifth race July 20, with no rules found to be violated and no change to the order of finish. The Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC), non-profit operator of Assiniboia Downs, had formally requested that its provincial regulator, the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority (LGCA), conduct a review after jockey Sheldon Chickeness, aboard King Witt (Five Demon Bag), turned for home approximately five lengths in front before appearing to pull his mount up and allowing much of the...

The Manitoba Jockey Club, operator of Assiniboia Downs Racetrack, has requested that its provincial regulator conduct a review of the fifth race on the track's July 20 card. Jockey Sheldon Chickeness, aboard King Witt (Five Demon Bag), turned for home some five lengths in front in the maiden-claiming event before appearing to pull his mount up. Once passed by the majority of the field, King Witt re-rallied to ultimately finish second. "The unusual nature of the stretch drive from race five last night has caused us to reach out and...

Effective Monday, July 18, 2022, purses at Assiniboia Downs have been increased across the board. The highlights include a 25% increase in maiden special weight races to $20,000 and a 20% hike for open allowance heats for $24,000 while the new minimum purse for 'open' stakes races has been raised to $40,000. "Our community of owners, trainers and jockeys continue to be so supportive of the racing program here," said Darren Dunn, CEO of the Winnipeg, Manitoba-area track. "We are happy to be in a position that we can introduce...

Assiniboia Downs rounded out its 50-day race meet with total wagering of $63,264,000, eclipsing last year's $12,467,855 for the same number of days. The 2020 average was $1.265 million per program. A new season wagering record was also set. The previous record was set in 1981 when $53,394,913 was wagered during a 135-day race meet. Additionally, the final day of the meet Sept. 15 offered a double mandatory payout-headed by a carryover of $202,319 for the Jackpot Pick 5 and $81,338 for the Jackpot Hi5. The total wagering on the...