Assiniboia Downs offers new claiming series at 2015 meet

The 57th Assiniboia Downs season kicks off Sunday, beginning a 50-day meet through Sept. 7.

Racing on the unique 1 3/16-mile dirt track in Winnipeg will be conducted on Wednesdays (beginning May 27), Fridays, Saturdays, holidays, and some Sundays. Post time is 7 p.m. Central, except for holidays and select Sundays, when first post is 1:30 p.m.

The centerpiece of the meet is the $75,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year-olds on Aug. 3, a program that also features the $25,000 Manitoba Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

The historically important Winnipeg Futurity for 2-year-olds is set for Sept. 6. The Labor Day weekend features three more $25,000 stakes, the Gold Cup and Manitoba Matron on Sept. 6 and the Buffalo on closing day.

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Assiniboia is offering a new claiming series this year. Horses who have made at least two starts at the track in 2015 for $5,000 or less will be eligible to qualify for the semifinals and the championship of the series. Sprint and route distances will be carded, and preferred eligibility for the last two stages will be determined through a points system.

The semifinals, worth $11,000 apiece, will be run Aug. 14-15. Both finals will be held Sept. 6 for purses of $13,000. The sprint final will be run over five furlongs, and the route final is slated for 1 1/2 miles.