Jaws were dropping at Assiniboia Downs on Canada Day as the race track did something it hasn’t done in decades–had a monstrous increase in betting pools on a non-Derby Day. Wagering increased to $461,392, double what it was last year on Canada Day ($232,582).
Only twice in the past 13 years has that wagering figure been exceeded and both were Manitoba Derby days. In 1998, Derby Day wagering was $470,700 and in 2007 Derby Day betting hit $475,000.
“I can’t tell you how good this feels,” said Downs CEO Darren Dunn. “I can’t remember the last time we came anything close to that wagering figure on a non-Derby Day.”
The increase came both from local bettors and from bettors at partner tracks throughout the continent that are carrying Downs races. Thirty-nine sites were showing Downs races. Local bettors put $132,500 through the windows compared to $114,870 last year. And partner wagering was $328,900 compared to $117,700 last year.
“What is so exciting is that our little track went up against major tracks such as Woodbine in Toronto, Churchill Downs in Kentucky and Belmont Park in New York and still attracted significant wagering. That shows we finally have a significant toehold with fans in other places.
“An increase in track partner contracts combined with quality racing and field size now appear to be gaining some appreciation. We may have also caught the interest of players initially because of a bit of slapstick we’ve been doing.” He was referring to the fact that paddock host Kirt Contois gets a pie in the puss from a local race fan when his best bet loses. That happens each Wednesday now and he’s been “pied” 11 times so far–which certainly has a lot of visual impact when fans are watching their races on TV down in places like Florida, California and the like.
“Maybe Canada Day wagering was the tipping point for the Downs,” Dunn continued. “Maybe we’ll look back and say “that was the day the Downs showed it had gained the needed credibility to take off in wagering growth’. I’d like to think we’ll be doing a lot more high-fives in the future.”
The Downs’ biggest day is Manitoba Lotteries Derby Day on Monday, Aug. 1 but this Saturday will feature an important lead-in into that race–the Harry Jeffrey, a Derby prep race, with the best 3-year-olds on the grounds strutting their stuff.
Live racing continues every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. but the track is open all day every day (except Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. with 140 VLTs, simulcast racing from some of the best venues in the world and serving more certified Angus prime rib than any other restaurant in North America.
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