Henry Witt Jr. has been the leading owner at Assiniboia Downs for five years and won his first Manitoba Derby in 2023 with Mano Dura.
Jerry Gourneau
Wagering per race at the 2023 Assiniboia Downs meeting was up and Gourneau and Whitehall take trainer and jockey titles.
Mano Dura, the upset winner of the Manitoba Derby, will meet 11 other rivals as he attempts to win at Century Mile.
Kentucky-bred colt is first Manitoba Derby winner for longtime leading Assiniboia Downs owner Henry Witt, Jr.
Manitoba trainers Tom Gardipy Jr. and Jerry Gourneau became the first conditioners inducted into the North American-wide Hall of Fame.
As the restriction-free 2022 season concludes, the Winnipeg track reports wagering totals second only to 2020 numbers.
Assiniboia Downs seeks to erase the haunting memories of the past two quiet Derbies due to Covid restrictions.
Winnipeg track changes course due to COVID-19 pandemic and cyber meeting, and while difficult, yields big wagering numbers on shortened season.
Some news from the most recent week in Canadian racing and it appears as if the country's leading trainer Jerry Gourneau will try his hand at Woodbine.
Melisandre, a full sister to 2019 champion Hidden Grace, and Freezing Jimmy both capture stakes races this week at Assiniboia in Winnipeg.
