Strong fields for delayed meet opener

Better late than never for Assiniboia Downs, which launches a 50-day meet on Tuesday with an excellent seven-race card.

Racing will be conducted primarily on a Mondaythrough-Wednesday schedule until closing day, Sept. 27. Post time is 7:35 p.m. Central.

The meet was originally scheduled to start about a week earlier but was delayed due to harsh winter weather that carried over into early spring, according to Assiniboia CEO Darren Dunn.

“Coming off the secondhighest accumulation of snow in Manitoba history, and the highest ever experienced for spring training at Assiniboia Downs, combined with unseasonably cold spring weather, we were unable to get our main track open for workouts until April 29, a full three weeks later than usual,” Dunn said. “As such, our locally based horse supply was not ready for the original start of the season, and we worked with the HBPA to achieve a fully agreed upon eight-day delay.”

Dunn said the horse population is healthy and a purse increase of over $500,000 that was put in place for 2021 has carried over into this season.

Takeout reductions across the board have been implemented, most notably with for win wagering, which has been reduced by 4 percent to 14.95 percent. The takeout rates on the trifecta, superfecta, Jackpot Hi-5, and pick three have been reduced by 2 percent. The exacta, double, quinella, and Assiniboia Jackpot Pick 5 have been reduced by 1 percent.

The pick four will have a guaranteed pool of $25,000 and will continue with its low 15.95 percent takeout.

Assiniboia’s website includes a “Player Portal” that will be geared specifically to horseplayers. The page will showcase information such as the Assiniboia live broadcast, jockey bios and stats, trainer stats, multi-source picks, program information, and handicapping videos.

“We really wanted to continue to recognize the horseplayer again this season,” Dunn said. “These dramatic drops in takeouts and the new Player Portal were important moves for us to show our further commitment to them. We are so very proud of our growing fan base around the world and we’re looking forward to serving our local customers in person again, without restrictions for the first time in two years.”

Dunn said the jockey situation is back to normal following some major issues during the pandemic.

“We are featuring a substantial difference in the room this year with a full return to the pre-pandemic level talent,” Dunn said. “This includes the return of 2021 runaway leading rider Jorge Carreno and the additions of former Assiniboia champions Chavion Chow, Prayven Badrie, and Antonio Whitehall, who was largely based out of Alberta last year. In addition, 2021 leading stakes rider Stanley Chadee Jr. returns, along with Rasheed Hughes, Renaldo Cumberbatch, and Sheldon Chickeness.

The highlight of the meet, the $100,000 Manitoba Derby, is scheduled for Aug. 1.