Preview of the 75th Manitoba Derby

Presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Assiniboia Downs
Thursday, August 3, 2023 - 11:45 a.m.

2022 Manitoba Derby Winner Red Knobs

Owner: Rob K. Nokes Trainer: Robertino Diodoro Jockey: Jorge Carreno (Jason Halstead photos)
1st Manitoba Derby winner Jack Whittier (top left). 25th Manitoba Derby winner Zaca Spirit (top right).
50th Manitoba Derby winner A Fleets Dancer (bottom).
 Assiniboia Downs Celebrates the
75th Running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby
By Bob Gates
Track Historian

The first Manitoba Derby was run in 1930, although from 1930 to 1933 it was known as the Manitoba Stakes. It should
come as no surprise that Manitoba's most prestigious race was the brainchild of Robert James Speers, the acknowledged
Father of Thoroughbred Racing in the prairie provinces. Speers established the race so that horsepeople could showcase
their 3-year-old thoroughbreds foaled in western Canada.

The Derby was opened to all horses bred in Canada in 1936. The race was run annually at Polo Park Racetrack, with the
exception of 1937, when it was held at Whittier Park in St. Boniface. In 1941 the name of the race was changed to the
Canadian Derby. Few people realize that the heart and soul of the Canadian Derby can be found in Winnipeg and that the
Canadian Derby was actually born out of the Manitoba Derby. At the time, Canada was the only major country that did
not have a national Derby, so R. J. Speers sacrificed the Manitoba moniker for a national name.

The Canadian Derby was run at Polo Park Racetrack until it closed in 1956, and the race was relocated to Edmonton. Jack
Hardy tried to bring the race back to Winnipeg when Assiniboia Downs opened in 1958, but was unsuccessful, and the
Canadian Derby remained in Edmonton.

In 1960, the Manitoba Derby and its storied past from 11 previous runnings (1930-1940) was resurrected, and Assiniboia
Downs has hosted the race ever since. In 1985 the Manitoba Derby was changed to an open event for all 3-year-old
thoroughbreds. To date, three Manitoba-breds have won the race, beginning with Gowerlace in 1938. It took almost 40
years for the next homebred, Merry's Jay, to win the Manitoba Derby in 1976, and Royal Frolic followed with his popular
victory in 1993.

On July 15, 1970 Assiniboia Downs played host to the royal family when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the
Manitoba Centennial Derby, along with her husband Prince Phillip, daughter Princess Anne, and son, the future King
Charles, to present the Queen's Cup to the winning connections. The 1970 Manitoba Derby marked the first time the
trophy, donated by Her Majesty, was presented for the annual competition.

The list of previous Manitoba Derby winners includes national and local champions such as Fanfreluche, Overskate and
Merry's Jay; and owners Jean Louis Levesque, Bob and Bill Mitchell, and Phil Kives' K5 Stables. Hall of Fame jockeys Sandy
Hawley, Julie Krone and Robin Platts are but a few of the riding greats who have won the Manitoba Derby.

Gil Rowntree, A. E. “Bert” Blake, Yonnie Starr and Roger Attfield are among the trainers with multiple wins in the big race,
but conditioner Robertino Diodoro holds the record with four Manitoba Derby wins (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). In
addition, Diodoro established another enviable record in 2022, when his horses finished first, second and third in
Manitoba's most prestigious race.

Today we salute all participants, past and present who have made the Manitoba Derby what it is today!
 $125,000 Manitoba Derby
Presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Monday, August 7 - Racing starts at 7:30 pm

– $125,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year olds presented by

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
– $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile
– $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes
– $100,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 pool
– Mandatory payout of the ASD Jackpot Pick 5. The pool is
expected to exceed $1 million.
– National anthem performed by Winnipeg’s own Stacey Nattrass
– Enter the Derby Sweepstakes where you can win a $100 win wager
on a Derby horse!
– Family Fun! Bouncy castles, face painting & kids live entertainment
from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
– Derby history display by Historian Bob Gates on main level
– Free admission & parking
 Previous winners of the
Manitoba Derby
YEAR HORSE OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY PURSE
2022 Red Knobs Rob K. Nokes Robertino Diodoro J. Carreno $100,000 G.
2021 Uncharacteristic Adam Isfeld R. VanOverschot A. Marti $100,000 G.
2020 Mongolian Wind Mongolian Stable & Andy Stronach W. Eno W. Galviz $60,000 G.
2019 Oil Money Charles Garvey R. Diodoro O. Mojica $75,000 G.
2018 Sky Promise R. & C. Wiest, R6 Stable & N. Tremblay R. Diodoro R. Walcott $75,000 G.
2017 Plentiful M. Duncan & Estate of Garylle B. Stewart M. Duncan T. Nelson $75,000 G.
2016 Inside Straight Randy Howg R. Diodoro S. Stevens $75,000 G.
2015 Flashy Jewel Lothenbach Stables Inc. C. Brinson A. Morales $75,000 G.
2014 Street Prancer Mike McCarty S. Asmussen J. Samuel $75,000 G.
2013 Assembly Hall Bryan Porter & Dennis Goettsch B. Porter A. Canchari $75,000 G.
2012 Balooga Bull Paul Brandt Ardell Sayler P. Nolan $75,000 G.
2011 Hammer’s Bullet Terry Hamilton C. Brinson M. Anderson $75,000 G.
2010 Stachys Al & Bill Ulwelling M. Biehler E. Martin Jr. $75,000 G.
2009 Smuggler’s Hold Bryan Porter T. Padilla A. Morales $75,000 G.
2008 Matt’s Broken Vow Robert Mitchell J. Carroll A. Cuthbertson $100,000 G.
2007 Weather Warning Shyman Farms M. Drexler P. Leacock $100,000 G.
2006 Lord Kipling Center Hills Farm A. Blair S. Stevens $100,000 G.
2005 Prime Time T.V. Rob Mitchell A.E. Blake T. Hightower $100,000 G.
2004 Royalty Boy Antingham, Propp & Gromoff B. Phelan R. Simard $100,000 G.
2003 Hero’s Pleasure Jean Duke D. Oliver S. Stevens $100,000 G.
2002 Lord Shogun Canyon Farms R.VanOverschot Q. Welch $100,000 G.
2001 Stage Classic Dominion Bloodstock, Ball, Galbraith D. Cotey C. Montpellier $100,000 G.
2000 Scotman Lomar Stable & Scott Wilson P. McDougall C. McGregor $100,000. G
1999 Wafare Warrior Dominion Bloodstock, Ball, Galbraith A. McPherson F. Licata $100,000. G
1998 A Fleets Dancer C & D Allard R. Cone R. Simard $100,000. G
1997 My Imperial Slew J.R. Belanger J. Attard R. Dos Ramos $75,000. G
1996 Northernprospector K-5 Stable E. Corbel F. Licata $50,000. G
1995 Langara Island DNA Stable D. Smith K. Hendricks $50,000. G
1994 P.C.’s Bluff Stan Ryan T. Dodds J. Litton $50,000. G
1993 Royal Frolic A.E. Blake & W.F. Mitchell A.E. Blake L. Bird $100,000. G
1992 Jan Artic Hartley Stable & Khan D. Hartley G. Niblett $100,000. G
1991 Plenty Chilly K-5 Stable D. Gray F. Licata $100,000. G
1990 Reancy Doug Zaharichuk L. Barry T. Masters $100,000. G
1989 Rough Catch Gray/Bozniak/Warner C.J. Gray T. Kabel $100,000. G
1988 No Malice Rocco Marcello B. Marko J. Krone $100,000. G
1987 Steady Power Kinghaven Farms R. Attfield D. Seymour $75,000. G
1986 Steady Effort Kinghaven Farms R. Attfield R. Platts $75,000. G
1985 Kamp Out Gelt Farms A. Turner J. Bloom $75,000. G
1984 Ten Gold Pots BKY Stable G. Rowntree G. Stahlbaum $45,000. A
1983 Gone To Royalty P.L. Levesque J. Dumas I. Driedger $45,000. A
1982 Exclusive Canadian B.K. Yousif G. Rowntree D. Beckon $35,000. A
1981 Regimen B. Rausch M. Doyle D. Beckon $35,000. A
1980 Country Free 1/4 Acre Stable L. Moser R. Hansen $35,000. A
1979 Easter’s Memory Canadian West Ranches H. Barroby B. Johnson $35,000. A
1978 Overskate Stafford Farm G. Rowntree R. Platts $35,000. A
1977 Giboulee J.L. Levesque J. Dumas R. Grubb $30,000. A
1976 Merry’s Jay Hugh Jackson C. Gray K. Hendricks $30,000. A
1975 L’Enjoleur J.L. Levesque J. Starr S. Hawley $30,000. A
1974 Rushton’s Corsair A.W. Minshall G. Magnusson W. Green $100,000. G
1973 Zaca Spirit Bo-Teek Farms C.F. Chapman R. Grubb $100,000. G
1972 Nice Dancer Morton & Harlequin J.G. Lavigne B. Stewart $70,000. G
1971 Speedy Zephyr G. Rathbeg L. Lear H. Hinojosa $70,000. G
1970 Fanfreluche J.L. Levesque J. Starr R. Turcotte $70,000. G
1969 Fire ‘N Desire S. Lima & M. Rose W.H. Moorhead R. Armstrong $12,500. A
1968 Son Costume Pal-Son Stable W.H. Moorhead R. Pion $12,500. A
1967 Gilmore Golden West Farm R. Johnson G. Rasmussen $12,500. A
1966 Carodana Valcrest Farm E. Mann T. Inouve $10,000.A
1965 Flyalong Hays & Weldon D.H. Campbell C. Potts $10,000. A
1964 Langcrest S.J. Langill E. Mann S. McComb $10,000. A
1963 Brother Leo W.H. Murphy W.H. Murphy F. Inda $7,500. A
1962 Welcome Effort Golden West Farms R. Johnson S. Shields $7,500. A
1961 Windspray Windfield Farms G. Howell S. Cosentino $5,000. A
1960 Bocage J.Y. Stable G. Howell G. Contrada $5,000.A
THE DERBY WAS DISCONTINUED IN 1941
1940 Sir Trapseth John Hazza V. Arndt R. Nielson $2,000. A
1939 Larry Eckhardt K.M. Leach E. Johanson J. Craigmyle $2,000. A
1938 Gowerlace Whitter S. Farm D.H. Campbell R. Hightshoe $2,000. A
1937 Goldlure H.C. Hatch J. Hamilton S. Young $2,000. A
1936 Sweepden H.C. Hatch W.H. Bringloe L. DuPre $2,000. A
1935 Nellie Quince Big 4 Stable S. Brunson W. Moiter $2,000. A
1934 Caramar Mrs. R. Leavitt C.T. Leavitt W. Chidgrey $2,000. A
1933 Carhan Queen Mrs. R. Leavitt C.T. Leavitt J. Craigmyle $2,000. A
1932 Lady Marnock F. Johnston W.R. McGirr J. Longden $2,000.A
1931 Parisienne T. Burton L.C. Barnes J. Mattioll $2,000.A
1930 Jack Whittier L. Ronald L. Ronald D. Hurlburt $2,000. A
 THE 75th RUNNING OF THE MANITOBA DERBY
Manitoba Derby Starters
1 1/8 Miles. The 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby
Presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Purse: $125,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Olds.
Weights: Fillies, 119 lbs. Colts & Geldings, 122 lbs.
Post Position

Owners: Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, Lana Wiest,

1 HEROIC MOVE Randy Howg, R6 Stables, Gary Kropp & Norman Tremblay
Probable Odds: 1-1 3 Year Old - Bay - Colt Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Rico Walcott

2 CHICAGO’S GRAY Owners: Roll The Dice Stable, Royce Finley and Arnason Farms
Trainer: Murray Duncan
Probable Odds: 20-1 3 Year Old - Grey/Roan - Gelding Jockey: Stanley Chadee, Jr.

3 TSHIEBWE Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Trainer: Craig Robert Smith
Probable Odds: 6-1 3 Year Old - Bay - Colt Jockey: Alexander Marti

4 NEIGHBOR Owners: Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa

Trainer: Robert Kingston
Probable Odds: 15-1 3 Year Old - Grey/Roan - Gelding Jockey: Dane Nelson

Owners: Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, Lana Wiest,

5 B MINOR Randy Howg, R6 Stables, Gary Kropp & Norman Tremblay
Probable Odds: 4-1
3 Year Old - Chestnut - Colt Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Jorge Carreno

6 ROUGH CUSTOMER Owner: Ray Blasetti

Trainer: Rod Heggie
Probable Odds: 50-1 3 Year Old - Bay - Gelding Jockey: Andre Martin

7 DISCOVERY PEAK Owner: Henry S. Witt, Jr.

Trainer: Jerry Gourneau
Probable Odds: 40-1 3 Year Old - Dark Bay - Gelding Jockey: Neville Stephenson

8 MANO DURA Owner: Henry S. Witt, Jr.

Trainer: Jerry Gourneau
Probable Odds: 12-1 3 Year Old - Chestnut - Colt Jockey: Antonio Whitehall

9 GREEN AMAZON Owner: Hard Ball Stable

Trainer: Steven Gaskin
Probable Odds: 40-1 3 Year Old - Bay - Gelding Jockey: Sven Balroop

10 SAXON SAGA Owners: Bill Meikle and Wind Dancer Stable

Trainer: Wendy Anderson
Probable Odds: 10-1 3 Year Old - Dark Bay - Gelding Jockey: Renaldo Cumberbatch
 B MINOR
3 Year Old - Chestnut - Colt
Owners: Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, Lana Wiest, Randy Howg,
R6 Stables, Gary Kropp and Norman Tremblay
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro l Jockey: Jorge Carreno

B MINOR Probable odds: 4-1

Pedigree: Mendelssohn-Tocame Linda by Speightstown
Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation (Jan. 25, 2020)

B Minor is the second entrant in the Manitoba Derby for elite trainer Robertino Diodoro, who is currently
eighth among all North American trainers by number of wins with 112 victories and over $4 million in purse
earnings. He's also owned by the same Canadian Derby-winning ownership team as stablemate Heroic Move.

A sleek, athletic chestnut, B Minor was an $85,000 yearling purchase and he's already earned his purchase
price back running in rich allowance races against the bluebloods of the thoroughbred breed at Oaklawn Park,
Keeneland, and Churchill Downs, where he broke his maiden going a mile in a $120,000 Maiden Special Weight
race.

In his third lifetime start, the son of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Mendelssohn tried stakes
company in the $350,000 Bourbon Stakes and was beaten only 7 ¾-lengths. In his most recent start on May 6
at Churchill Downs, B Minor finished fourth in a $100,000 allowance race going 1 1/16-miles, but he's switched
trainers since then to Diodoro, who has a proven knack for turning new purchases into stakes winners.

This could be his next.

 CHICAGO’S GRAY
3 Year Old - Grey/Roan - Gelding
Owners: Roll The Dice Stable, Royce Finley and Arnason Farms
Trainer: Murray Duncan l Jockey: Stanley Chadee, Jr.

CHICAGO’S GRAY Probable odds: 20-1

Pedigree: Tapwrit-Dulce Arabe (CHI) by Speightstown
Bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding, Inc. (Mar. 24, 2020)

Chicago's Gray will attempt to give trainer Murray Duncan his second Manitoba Derby win since Plentiful in
2017, and it's not hard to figure out what his game is -- speed, speed and more speed.

Claimed for $12,500 by Randy Premachuk at Oaklawn Park on May 6 for an ownership team that now also
includes Steve Holborn, Royce Finley and top Manitoba owner/breeder Arnason Farms, Chicago's Gray was a
maiden at the time, but that changed immediately when he arrived at Assiniboia Downs.

Following in the hoofprints of numerous claimers-turned-stakes-winners from the Duncan barn, Chicago's Gray
wired a field of Maiden Special Weight horses in his first local start going five furlongs on May 23, then blitzed
his rivals again in both the Prime Time TV Overnight Stakes and the Golden Boy Stakes. Stretched out to a mile
for his next start in the Derby Trial, Chicago's Gray was heavily favoured, but broke outwards and ended up
dueling outside before tiring to finish fourth.

With a Derby-winning trainer, a pedigree that says he'll go a distance, and speed to burn, Chicago's Gray holds
a dangerous trifecta.

Redemption time.
 DISCOVERY PEAK
3 Year Old - Dark Bay - Gelding
Owner: Henry S. Witt, Jr.
Trainer: Jerry Gourneau l Jockey: Name: Neville Stephenson

DISCOVERY PEAK Probable odds: 40-1

Pedigree: Bernardini-Onion Creek by Midnight Lute
Bred in Kentucky by Mike G. Rutherford (Mar. 30, 2020)

Discovery Peak will be a longshot in this year's Manitoba Derby, but his stellar owner-trainer team can never be
underestimated.

Trainer Jerry Gourneau has won the local training title four times including the past three years in a row.
Owner Henry S. Witt, Jr., a former champion race car driver, has been the leading owner at Assiniboia Downs
five times, including the last four years in a row, and is on track to win his fifth consecutive title. Gourneau's
horses have been running like the wind this year and Discovery Peak will be hoping he can catch a little of that
in the Derby.

Claimed for $7,500 on June 8 at Lone Star Park, Discovery Peak was originally sold as a yearling in Kentucky for
$360,000. By multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Bernardini and out of a half sister to a pair of graded stakes
winners, he certainly has the pedigree to be a runner.

He owns two seconds and a third from his three starts at Assiniboia Downs, and Gourneau is hoping he can
find the key to him just in time for his biggest test.

There's a reason they run horse races.

 GREEN AMAZON
3 Year Old - Bay - Gelding
Owner: Hard Ball Stable
Trainer: Steven Gaskin l Jockey: Sven Balroop

GREEN AMAZON Probable odds: 40-1

Pedigree: Jimmy Creed-Kodiak Kocktail by Kodiak Kowboy
Bred in Ontario by Spring Farm (May 19, 2020)

Green Amazon battled for the place in the local Derby Trial and prevailed in his first start at over six furlongs as
a 3-year-old. He appeared to improve with the added distance of that race, and his connections will be hoping
for more of the same in the Manitoba Derby.

Green Amazon started out his career running in rich route races at Woodbine last year, but found his way to
trainer Steven Gaskin's barn at Assiniboia Downs this spring. By Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Jimmy Creed, Green
Amazon is out of the mare Kodiak Kocktail, who is a half sister to Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) winner Gantry,
and Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) winner Central Banker.

Oddly, his pedigree says sprint, but his local performance says route. Although he broke his maiden in a Maiden
Special Weight race going 5 ½-furlongs three starts ago, his best race to date was in the Derby Trial going a
mile, where he finished second beaten only two lengths.

Trainer Steven Gaskin has won numerous stakes at Assiniboia Downs. He also exercises his own horses.

Green Amazon will be ready.

 HEROIC MOVE
3 Year Old - Bay - Colt
Owners: Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, Lana Wiest, Randy Howg,
R6 Stables, Gary Kropp and Norman Tremblay
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro l Jockey: Rico Walcott

HEROIC MOVE Probable odds: 1-1

Pedigree: Quality Road-Family Tree by Smart Strike
Bred in Kentucky by Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (Apr. 20, 2020)

Heroic Move will be looking to live up to his name in the Manitoba Derby and he's got just the right
connections to do it.

He also brings serious talent of his own to the party. The bay colt by Florida Derby winner Quality Road finished
a fast closing third in the $250,000 Iowa Derby going 1 1/16-miles in his most recent start on July 8, which
should set him up perfectly for the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Manitoba Derby.

His dam, Family Tree, will also bolster his stamina as she was a multiple graded stakes winner of $733,387
going a route of ground. And he's trained by top North American trainer Robertino Diodoro, who has won the
Manitoba Derby a record four times (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022).

Heroic Move's ownership team finished second in the Manitoba Derby last year with Great Escape, and formed
part of a record 1-2-3 finish in the race for trainer Diodoro. Great Escape then went on to win the $200,000
Canadian Derby at Century Mile.

The rich Western Canadian Triple Crown now beckons, and Heroic Move is the horse to beat.
 MANO DURA
3 Year Old - Chestnut - Colt
Owner: Henry S. Witt, Jr.
Trainer: Jerry Gourneau l Jockey: Antonio Whitehall

MANO DURA Probable odds: 12-1

Pedigree: Keen Ice-Bene Pista by Bernardini
Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm (Apr. 5, 2020)

Mano Dura is one of two entries in the Manitoba Derby conditioned by leading trainer Jerry Gourneau for top
Assiniboia Downs owner Henry S. Witt Jr. and gives this sharp owner-trainer team their best shot at winning
their first Manitoba Derby.

Claimed for $50,000 at Lone Star Park on June 17, Mano Dura has been running exclusively in route races in
Texas against tough allowance company and has compiled a record of 3-4-1 from nine starts this year.

He acts like a horse that will run all day and his pedigree backs up his performance, with 1 ¼-mile Travers
Stakes (G1) winners top and bottom through Keen Ice and Bernardini. Mano Dura broke his maiden in wire-to-
wire fashion at Sam Houston going a mile on January 13 and has run eight times since then, winning twice and
finishing worse than third only once.

He made his first start at Assiniboia Downs on July 24 going a mile against older horses in an allowance race
and came with a long resolute rally to win by half a length.

Underestimate his character and he'll beat you every time.

 NEIGHBOR
3 Year Old - Grey/Roan - Gelding
Owner: Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa
Trainer: Robert Kingston l Jockey: Dane Nelson

NEIGHBOR Probable odds: 15-1

Pedigree: Good Samaritan-Hooky by Skip Away
Bred in Kentucky by David E. Hager II & Jay Goodwin (Feb. 3, 2020)

Neighbor is the mystery horse in this year's Manitoba Derby. The grey/roan gelding by Jim Dandy Stakes (G2)
winner Good Samaritan is out of a mare named Hooky by Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Skip Away. That
makes him a half brother to Bienvenidos Stakes winner Izzy the Warrior, who interestingly was trained by four-
time Manitoba Derby winning trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Originally a $50,000 yearling sale purchase, Neighbor began his career in Maiden Special Weight races at Fair
Grounds Race Course, broke his maiden for a $30,000 tag at Churchill Downs going a mile and a sixteenth and
was claimed in his next start at Churchill Downs on May 28 for $50,000 by his current connections. Neighbor
has only run five times, all route races, and hasn't been seen in a race since he was claimed, but he has been
working bullets in Kentucky.

Originally claimed by multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Grant T. Forster, who has won 321 races and
almost $10 million in purses, Neighbor was transferred to Century Mile trainer Robert Kingston for the
Manitoba Derby.

Kingston won the Alberta Derby with 40-1 longshot Fly Esteem in 2004.

Deja vu?
 ROUGH CUSTOMER
3 Year Old - Bay - Gelding
Owner: Ray Blasetti
Trainer: Rod Heggie l Jockey: Andre Martin

ROUGH CUSTOMER Probable odds: 50-1

Pedigree: Cape Canaveral-Rubyintheruff by Tribal Rule
Bred in Alberta by Starline Thoroughbreds (Apr. 15, 2020)

Rough Customer shipped from Century Mile in Alberta to Assiniboia Downs in June and was immediately
competitive in local stakes without winning.

Still a maiden, the bay gelding by San Miguel Stakes (G3) winner Cape Canaveral finished a close second twice
in Maiden Special Weight races at Century Mile and also took fourth money in the $50,000 Alberta Sire Stakes
Derby before shipping to Manitoba. Beaten only 1 3/4-lengths in the latter race, Rough Customer displayed
enough talent for trainer Rod Heggie to ship him to ASD for both the Golden Boy Stakes and the Derby Trial.
Rough Customer finished fourth in the Golden Boy Stakes going six furlongs and improved to finish third
beaten only 2 ¼-lengths by Saxon Saga in the Derby Trial.

There is reason to believe Rough Customer could improve again in the Manitoba Derby, based on the fact that
his dam Rubyintheruff won six of eight starts including the $50,000 Wild Rose Handicap at Northlands Park
while earning over $100,000, and his trainer has won 296 races during a career that has spanned three
decades.

Longshot sleeper.
 SAXON SAGA
3 Year Old - Dark Bay - Gelding
Owners: Bill Meikle and Wind Dancer Stable
Trainer: Wendy Anderson l Jockey: Renaldo Cumberbatch

SAXON SAGA Probable odds: 10-1

Pedigree: Slew’s Saga-Tu Tu Stone by Grindstone
Bred in Oregon by CJR Broodmares, LLC (Feb. 10, 2020)

A former claimer-turned-stakes-winner trained by Wendy Anderson, Saxon Saga was a duelling upset winner of
the one-mile Derby Trial at ASD on July 17.

Claimed for $12,500 out of a sprint at Golden Gate Fields on March 19 by Anderson's husband Terry McFarlane
and ownership partner Bill Meikle, Saxon Saga soon ventured to Assiniboia Downs and immediately returned
dividends for his new owners. He won his first start here going five furlongs in an allowance race, and finished
second in both the Prime Time TV and Golden Boy Stakes sprinting.

Stretched out for the first time in his life in the Derby Trial, the versatile runner may have found his true calling.
By Cup and Saucer Stake winner Slew's Saga out of a mare by Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Grindstone, he was
probably always meant to go a route.

Anderson is having another excellent year, and currently ranks third among local trainers by number of wins
with 17. She also ranks second in purse earnings with $239,671.

Saxon Saga doesn't need the lead to win. If a duel develops in front of him, look out.
 TSHIEBWE
3 Year Old - Bay - Colt
Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Trainer: Craig Robert Smith l Jockey: Alexander Marti

TSHIEBWE Probable odds: 6-1

Pedigree: Race Day-Divine Friends by Divine Park
Bred in Kentucky by Justin Munoz (Mar. 23, 2022)

If there's a horse in this year's Manitoba Derby that looks like he could run through a brick wall, it's Tshiebwe.
Sold as a 2-year-old for $475,000, the big bay colt by Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner Race Day looks every bit
as good as his purchase price, and his sire already counts Florida Derby (G1) winner White Abarrio among his
progeny.

Tshiebwe scored his first lifetime victory in a $100,000 maiden claiming race in his most recent start going
seven furlongs at Ellis Park on June 10, and he did it impressively, drawing off to win by seven lengths. Prior to
that, he had been running very competitively in Maiden Special Weight races going a route at Churchill Downs,
Keeneland and Gulfstream Park.

Tshiebwe is trained by top Alberta trainer Craig Robert Smith, who is currently tied for the lead in the standings
at Century Mile with 20 wins. Smith is winning at a 19 percent clip, he's trained numerous stakes winners, and
he's closing fast on $5 million in purse earnings and 500 wins.

Tshiebwe has been training and working well here for two weeks. Watch out, wall.
 $550,000
Western Canadian Triple Crown

$125,000 Manitoba Derby

Assiniboia Downs & Monday, Aug. 7

$200,000 Canadian Derby G3

Century Mile & Saturday, Aug. 26

$125,000 BC Derby G3
Hastings Racecourse & Saturday, Sept. 16

$100,000 Bonus
If a horse wins all three legs
ASSINIBOIA DOWNS CORPORATE SPONSORS

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