Manitoba Derby Day shares the marquee at Assiniboia Downs tonight with a pick 5 carryover pool that has reached $476,656 (CAN) / $339,426 (US). In addition, horseplayers at Xpressbet can take part in the $500 Assiniboia Manitoba Derby Pegasus World Cup Betting Championship Qualifier tournament. When you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on tonight’s Assiniboia card, take advantage of a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split in the late pick 4 and consider the $2,500 Exacta-Thon promotion where winning $2 exactas on at least 3 races on the 7-race card will win you a share of the additional prize money.

Let’s get to work.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 1 | allowance/optional claiming

#4 Spin the Breeze runs back first off the claim for an Elton Dickey barn that has 3 wins and a second from its last 9 starters (including a 20-1 winner and 52-1 runner-up). This after going 0-12 to start the meet. The 5-1 morning line price attracts on a card that could see shorter prices as it ensues. #7 Smoocherro, the 9-5 morning line chalk, has been beaten favorite twice in 3 local starts, but has run well in all 3 since arriving from Tampa. Picks 4-7-1.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 2 | $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes

Trainer Steve Keplin won 6-13 (46%) in July and is hitting a whopping 44% at the meet. His #4 Mad About Marie registered 1 of those scores in the Canada Stakes July 14 once stretched back to the proper distance after a couple of sprints upon her local arrival. She handled #2 Dontgiveupthefight handily that night to snap that filly’s 3-race winning streak for high-octane trainer Robertino Diodoro. Difficult to see beyond this favored pair. Picks 4-2-3.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 3 | claiming

The pick 5 and its massive jackpot begins here. Favorites have won 48% of the claiming races this meeting at Assiniboia Downs from more than 90 offered (71% of favorites in the exacta). Morning line chalk #9 Neighneigh could be a standout off a claim-and-drop by trainer Demetris Tapouzis, 3-for-6 at the meet with limited strikes. Despite sprint running lines that might suggest trouble at the distance, she’s had success this far in the past with slower tempos. The pace doesn’t look wicked to her inside and morning line second choice #8 Gallant Oak is just 1 for her last 14 and has 26 minor placings from 52 career starts. Picks 9-7-8.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 4 | maiden special weight

Perhaps the best price shot on the evening with a field of 10 and lack of a power-barn standout. #2 Ralph’s Gift improved in his second start and goes for a Elton Dickey barn that is going very well right now, but not one to garner attention with a 3-21 meet record. That 10-1 morning line price would be fantastic. The July 7 race in which #6 She’s My Uncle was second as the favorite, #4 Judge Oliver finished third at 7-2 and #8 American Witt ran fourth at 7-2, didn’t get flattered when the winner, Banker Matt, returned to Asd and ran a solidly-beaten fifth in his allowance bid. Give #10 Charlie’s Prize perhaps a stronger look than that trio for additional support. Picks 2-10-6.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 5 | $50,000 Manitoba Mile

#2 Judo has been an Asd beast, winning 6 of 9 locally and rolling here as the favorite by 3 lengths last summer in this race. She’s taken a similar prep path in recent months and hasn’t been touched in 2 local appearances at the meet for 44%-winning trainer Steve Keplin. Appears to be a single to this eye. Local newcomer #7 Go Go Boss will merit attention off fast speed figures in Texas and it's hard to dismiss Robertino Diodoro in races like this. Blinkers go on in hopes of sharpening several bridesmaid performances in winning just 1 of her last 8. Picks 2-7-1.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 6 | $125,000 Manitoba Derby

The expectation that class will show out over 9 furlongs makes Kentucky-experienced raiders like #2 Western Warrior, #4 Gethsemane and the maiden #5 Direct Strike the focus. Certainly fear the outside speed of #9 Forty Twenty, but there’s pace to challenge him from the locals and the final furlong may prove his tripping point. The aforementioned trio change barns for local appearances but have been stock of Mark Casse, Linda Rice and Brad Cox, underscoring their level of class. I like going to a top local jockey with a classy shipper, getting the quality of the horse with the track knowledge of the pilot. The only of these to do so is #4 Gethsemane, who lands Antonio Whitehall in the saddle. Despite maiden status, #5 Direct Strike looks best-equipped to handle the 9 furlongs on pedigree and running lines. I’ll focus on those 2. Picks 4-5-2.

Assiniboia Downs: Race 7 | claiming

Favorites have won 48% of the claiming races this meeting at Assiniboia Downs from more than 90 offered (71% of favorites in the exacta). Not sure what went wrong last out for #9 Jacks Spring Break, eased after back-to-back meet wins. But it’s about the only thing that went awry in July for redhot trainer Steve Keplin. Pace versatility helps with a 9-hole draw in this mile. Underneath #3 Ells is better than the last and trainer Wendy Anderson wins 35% first off the claim. Picks 9-3-1.

Carryover Pick 5 Key Runners
9 with 2,10 with 2 with 4,5 with 9.