Assiniboia Downs Cleared to Open May 25

Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg received provincial clearance Wednesday to open its live racing season May 25.

“I'm confident we will be the first racetrack in Canada to open a live race,” since the COVID-19 pandemic, the track's chief executive officer, Darren Dunn, told the CBC news outlet.

Spectator-free racing will be conducted Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

The season had been slated to open May 10 but got pushed back because of pandemic precautions. The meet will run until Sep. 15.

Health and temperature checks will be required for all backstretch workers. There are currently 300 horses in training at Assiniboia.