Assiniboia Downs is thrilled to offer the $50,000 Derby Trial Stakes on Monday, July 17th. This race will pave the way for the highly anticipated $125,000 Manitoba Derby on August 7, showcasing the finest horse racing talent in the region and the much anticipated first leg of the Western Canadian Triple Crown that includes the $200,000 G3 Canadian Derby in Edmonton, Alberta and the $125,000 G3 B.C. Derby in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The one-mile Manitoba Derby Trial is race 5 Monday evening and has drawn a field of seven including two-time stakes winner CHICAGO’S GRAY. A three-year-old by Tapwrit owned by Roll the Dice Stable, Royce Finley and Arnason Farms, Chicago’s Gray is undefeated at Assiniboia Downs since being claimed for $20,000 from a maiden race at Oaklawn Park on May 6. He won the Prime Time Stakes on June 5 and the Golden Boy Stakes on June 26, both sprints, in front-running fashion. Murray Duncan trains and Jorge Carrenos rides.
The Manitoba Derby is adding to the buzz of excitement already surrounding the track. The Downs implemented significant reductions to many of the takeouts again this year which has most likely contributed to the 15.5% increase in overall wagering to date.