Assiniboia cuts Sundays

Assiniboia Downs has decided on a major shake-up in its live racing schedule for 2009, eliminating Sunday racing except for one program.

The typical live racing week at the Winnipeg, Manitoba, oval now will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, with first post set for 7 p.m.

The only Sunday racing will be an afternoon card on Mother's Day, May 10, the opening day for the 65-day meet, which ends Sept. 12. The only other afternoon cards, with post times of 1 p.m., will be those offered on the holiday Mondays of May 18, Aug. 3, and Sept. 7 and Wednesday, July 1.

"Our Sunday race cards last year were our weakest from a wagering standpoint, while Tuesday nights saw a dramatic increase in action, largely due to wagering dollars coming from other tracks," said Harvey Warner, president of the Manitoba Jockey Club, in a press release. "Racetracks need more Thoroughbred racing on weeknights, so we are positioning ourselves to capitalize on that demand."