Assiniboia Downs begins 50-day meeting

Assiniboia Downs launches its 59th season with an eight-race card on Sunday. The track, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will run a 50-day meet that is scheduled to conclude Sept. 11.

Racing will be conducted with a 7:30 p.m. Central first post on Fridays, Saturdays, and some Sundays, with Wednesdays added June 1. There will be holiday Monday racing with a 1:30 p.m. first post on May 23, July 1, Aug. 1, and Sept. 5.

The $75,000 Manitoba Derby, a nine-furlong route for 3-year-olds, will be contested Aug. 1 on a card that also features the $25,000 Manitoba Oaks.

Other meet highlights include the $25,000 Winnipeg Sun Stakes on July 23, the $25,000 Winnipeg Futurity on Sept. 9, and the $25,000 Gold Cup on Sept. 10.

Christopher Husbands, who led the standings in 2014, is expected to be among the top riders again. The new faces in the jockey colony are Brian Cheyne and Skye Chernetz, who won the Sovereign Award for Canada’s top apprentice in 2013.

The winter-raced shippers Dreamcastle, Ellie’s the Boss, and Hayaku Josan are among a six-horse field in the opening-day feature, an optional claimer for fillies and mares. All eight races will be run over five furlongs.