After just 18 races over three days to begin its 2020 racing season, Assiniboia Downs realized $4.4 million in wagering, a stunning amount for Winnipeg’s flagship track. As the first track to open to Thoroughbred racing in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses, entertainment and sports in March, Assiniboia was a big draw on the evenings of May 25-27.
“We are so very pleased with the encouraging start,” said Assiniboia CEO Darren Dunn. “We felt that there would still be some first mover advantage that would exist and certainly we know that will wane as more competition comes back on.”
Dunn said the fast break from the gate for Assiniboia Downs “helps in a meaningful way as it relates to revenue contribution” but notes that the track only receives a single-digit percentage of the wagering dollars, all of which is currently bet through Woodbine Entertainment’s HorsePlayer Interactive platform (www.hpibet.com).