At Assiniboia Downs, the Monday to Wednesday night schedule remains a fan favourite, with trainer Jerry Gourneau continuing his winning streak. Last week, Gourneau dominated the trainer standings by winning seven out of 21 races from Monday through Wednesday. However, all of his entrants were scratched from the Assiniboia card on Wednesday, June 19.
Despite the scratches, Gourneau had a successful week, securing three wins on Monday, one on Tuesday, and another hat trick on Wednesday. This performance opened a 9-win lead in the standings over Devon Gittens (8 wins), followed by Mike Nault (5 wins), Tom Gardipy Jr. (4 wins), and Steve Keplin Jr. (4 wins). Keplin also had his horses scratched on Wednesday due to an outbreak of swamp flu.
Jockey Prayven Badrie, who rode two of Gourneau’s seven winners, recorded five wins this week, increasing his lead in the standings to four over runner-up Damario Bynoe. Badrie now boasts 14 wins, followed by Bynoe (10), Antonio Whitehall (9), Ronald Ali (8), Renaldo Cumberbatch (6), and newcomer apprentice Rachaad Knights (6).
Knights, in his first season at Assiniboia Downs, won five races this week, showcasing rapid improvement. He achieved notable victories, including the seventh race on Monday with Brody’s Streak ($6.90) for trainer Tom Gardipy Jr., and the fifth race on Tuesday with Prairie Drifter ($12.20) for trainer Devon Gittens, neither of which were favoured.
Gittens continued to build on his early career promise, winning with a first-time starter, Manitoba-bred No Magic ($5.60), in the fourth race on Tuesday. Bred by Dr. Betty Hughes and owned by Gittens along with partners Frank Johnson and Stephanie Kutny, No Magic's victory was the first of back-to-back wins for Gittens on Tuesday, with Prairie Drifter securing the second win.
Gittens’ skill with first-time starters has become well-known, enhancing his reputation as a promising trainer. His success in preparing horses for their first start off a layoff is notable, setting him apart from many trainers across North America.
Additionally, 2023's leading percentage trainer Gary Danelson, the all-time leading trainer at Assiniboia Downs, secured his first win of the season in the second race on Wednesday with Kate’s Princess. This was Danelson's first victory from six starts this season, marking a significant achievement for the 86-year-old trainer, who has been a prominent figure at the Downs since 1959.
Kate’s Princess, making her third start of the year, rewarded bettors with a $4.30 win payout. The Pick 4 pool also saw substantial action, swelling to $152,159, partly due to the popularity of Kate’s Princess.