Ruby's Big Band reaffirms affinity for Assiniboia

Ruby’s Big Band continued her run of success at Assiniboia Downs with a three-quarter- length victory in the $30,000 Jack Hardy Stakes on Saturday evening.

Trained by Charlie Smith and with regular local rider Rohan Singh in the irons, Ruby’s Big Band ($3.50) dueled until late in the final turn with arch-rival Honorable Lady and then had to hold off a closing Gorgeous Goomah through the stretch run of the 1 1/16-mile feature.

Roma Tomato ended another 7 1/2 lengths back in third with Honorable Lady fading to fourth in the field of five 3-year-old fillies.

Ruby’s Big Band, generally based at Canterbury Park, and now has won 6 of 7 starts in Winnipeg, including the recent Assiniboia Oaks via a disqualification.

The $18,360 winner’s share of the Jack Hardy purse boosted Ruby’s Big Band’s bankroll to $179,764.