Assiniboia_Downs___vegas_2009.jpgLas Vegas here they come!  Six people won their way to Las Vegas to represent Assiniboia Downs in the $1,000,000 Horseplayer World Series.

 

Representing all walks of life, Carol Barkwell, Grant Buckoski, Stewart Hayek, Blair Miller, Wayne Misko, and Esther Schmeider, will be among more than 200 other contestants at the Orleans casino in Las Vegas this Thursday through Saturday competing for a piece of $1,000,000 in prize money. The contest starts Thursday morning and runs through Saturday afternoon.

 

The Assiniboia Downs team is well-rounded, led by teacher Grant Buckoski and postal carrier Wayne Misko – both of whom have represented the Downs before in previous years.  Horse trainer Blair Miller and businessman Stewart Hayek are first-time contestants.  Esther Schmeider, a city employee, and retiree Carol Barkwell are among only a handful of other women in the entire contest.  Schmeider and Barkwell are also first-time competitors.

 

Each won a seat in this major tournament in monthly horseplayer tournaments last summer at Assiniboia Downs.  Their prize included airfare and accommodations for two, cash prizes and the $1500 buy-in to the tournament.

 

Updates for Team Assiniboia Downs will be available starting Friday on the Assiniboia Downs website, www.assiniboiadowns.com

 

Assiniboia Downs will continue to offer fans at the Downs this summer a similar opportunity to earn their way to Las Vegas next year.