The last three days of live racing at Assiniboia Downs for 2010 are filled with suspense as the Downs could become the first race track ever to have two female jockeys finish one-two in the standings. In fact, the Downs has never in its 52 years had a woman finish first in the standings.
With 23 races remaining to be run on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Vicky Baze has 66 wins and Janine Stianson has 65. But the spoiler could be last year’s leading rider, a male, Larren Delorme who has 63. Only three wins separate the three.
Baze, 45, is the woman of experience and would like to prove she still has what it takes. She won four riding titles in the state of Washington before coming to the Downs to ride with her husband, Gary Baze, who was a Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee in Washington.
Stianson, 27, would love the riding title to prove her worth after leaving the track in a huff two years ago after being fined three times for overuse of the whip.
Delorme, 25, meanwhile, is looking to repair a reputation that was damaged when he was suspended for six days for his involvement in the disappearance of $1,000 in stall mats from a trainer’s barn.
Who will it be? It could come down to a head-bob on the final race on the last day, Sunday. Race fans are the big winners. They’re being treated to the most exciting jockey race in memory.
They’re also being treated to a lot of fan appreciation perks such as free bets, cash grab in the money machine, loonie and toonie specials and more. Sunday will feature a farewell to the menagerie of animals in the petting farm.
Post time Friday and Saturday is 7:00 p.m. Horses go to the post on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
After live racing ends, the Downs will be focusing on exciting major events from other race tracks including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from France, the 150th Melbourne Cup from Australia and the two days of Breeders’ Cup Championship races from Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Big-screen simulcast racing will continue, in fact, every day of the year (except Christmas), as will VLT action in the Club West Gaming Lounge and dining service from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
For more information contact Darren Dunn, Director of Operations, 204-885-3330 ext 203.
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