Plot twists aplenty during Manitoba's biggest horse race of the year

Winnipeg Free Press

4 days ago

Massive crowds. Record wagering. And no shortage of controversy leading to an unprecedented ruling in the biggest local race of the year.
Yes, the 77th running of the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs was one for the ages.
'Just when you think you've seen it all,' Darren Dunn, the track's CEO, told the Free Press.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Attack (checkered colours) won the 77th Manitoba Derby Monday night after Take Charge Tom (right) was disqualified. In the Derby race, there were four complaints lodged involving five different horses.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Attack (checkered colours) won the 77th Manitoba Derby Monday night after Take Charge Tom (right) was disqualified. In the Derby race, there were four complaints lodged involving five different horses.
Late Monday night, the No. 7 horse Take Charge Tom looked every bit the dominant favourite. The Kentucky-bred gelding lived up to his name and bolted out of the gate, grabbed the lead, and never looked back, leaving seven other elite competitors in his wake.
It was impressive stuff. Thousands of bettors in the crowd of approximately 8,000 — along with online viewers around the globe who combined for nearly $4 million in total bets on the night — were already counting their winnings.
And then came the twist.
It started with the connections of the No. 1 horse — which finished fifth — filing an obstruction complaint against the No. 3 and No. 4 horses, which finished second and fourth respectively. Moments later, the No. 5 horse, which finished seventh, claimed interference against the winner. Last, but certainly not least, No. 4 filed its own complaint against No. 7.
'It happens. They're human. It's 45 miles an hour in a big race and things happen quickly.'– Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn
To put that into perspective: even a single claim of foul is relatively rare. Four separate complaints involving five different horses? Practically unheard of — and a sure sign something was wrong.
While stewards began reviewing video evidence, Dunn stood in the winner's circle ready to present the championship trophy to the victorious group. At that point, only the complaints against Nos. 3 and 4 had been announced, so a snap decision was made to proceed with the ceremony. Photos were taken. Hardware was handed out.
Nearly 20 minutes later came the bombshell: Take Charge Tom was disqualified.
Replays showed jockey Rasheed Hughes had sharply steered his mount toward the rail shortly after the break, crowding rivals and forcing multiple horses to steady. Stewards ruled that all the subsequent contact — including Nos. 3 and 4 on No. 1 — stemmed from No. 7's aggressive move, which nearly tripped up Nos. 4 and 5 in the process.
'It's just really unfortunate the jockey did not pay closer attention to how he angled over to the rail,' said Dunn.
'It happens. They're human. It's 45 miles an hour in a big race and things happen quickly. But it's still too bad he didn't… until he was more aware of his environment to see that he needed to be further clear on the front before coming over to save ground.'
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Randy Howg (left) hands trophies to Attack trainer Craig Robert Smith, who won after Take Charge Tom was disqualified Monday night at the 77th Manitoba Derby. This was the first time in the running of the Derby the winner has been disqualified.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Randy Howg (left) hands trophies to Attack trainer Craig Robert Smith, who won after Take Charge Tom was disqualified Monday night at the 77th Manitoba Derby. This was the first time in the running of the Derby the winner has been disqualified.
The ruling elevated No. 4 Attack — led by jockey N'Rico Prescod — from runner-up to Derby champion, with the Alberta-owned gelding paying a tidy $14.50 in the process.
'First time in 77 Manitoba Derby's the winner has been disqualified. So it was a little bit of a complicated experience,' said Dunn, who hosted a private reception at the end of the night with all of the owners and trainers.
'You know, the owner of the horse that was disqualified was very classy and we raised a glass to the ultimate official winner. But very unfortunate.'
Dunn later arranged a do-over in the winner's circle for Attack's team, complete with trophies and photos — though the horse itself was already back in the barn cooling down.
'It was an awkward situation, but they were good about it,' said Dunn.
Not as much grace was shown by some bettors who had backed Take Charge Tom and voiced their anger on social media.
'If they feel a horse was impeded, they're empowered to disqualify. And that's what they did.'– Darren Dunn
'Some people lost money out of that, and certainly natural instinct is to be upset,' Dunn acknowledged.
'But the stewards are employed by the Liquor Gaming Cannabis Authority. In the simplest terms, they're the referees of our sport. Not unlike the CFL or the NHL there's going to be times when people agree with the tripping or holding call, or feel one has been missed.'
Dunn, who has been working at the track for 44 years, believes they ultimately got it right.
'The stewards have an elevated view from the grandstand. They have access to all the television angles and they are tasked with making sure the race was run clean and fair,' he said.
'If they feel a horse was impeded, they're empowered to disqualify. And that's what they did. I think people, if they didn't have a wager on it, and looked with very unbiased eyes, would feel that made sense and they could understand it.'
Dunn also praised the riders for preventing what could have been a catastrophe — singling out 22-year-old rookie Ciera Pruitt, making her Derby debut aboard No. 5 War Is Hell, for keeping her mount upright after getting clipped by No. 7. The Winnipegger kept a steady hand to ensure everyone remained upright.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn praised Winnipeg jockey Cierra Pruitt (seen here on Kate's Princess in the final race of the night) for keeping her mount on War Is Hell after Take Charge Tom clipped the horse early into the Derby race. Dunn said there could have been an accident had it not been for Pruitt.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn praised Winnipeg jockey Cierra Pruitt (seen here on Kate's Princess in the final race of the night) for keeping her mount on War Is Hell after Take Charge Tom clipped the horse early into the Derby race. Dunn said there could have been an accident had it not been for Pruitt.
'We're fortunate that didn't lead to an accident. It could have had an outcome that wasn't positive. It's certainly something that was avoidable,' said Dunn.
Following the shakeup, No. 6 Maldini — trained by Pruitt's mother, Lise — moved into second, while No. 3 Mr. Jaws, trained by veteran Jerry Gourneau, took third.
In addition to all the drama, Derby night also delivered a tragic reminder of just how dangerous the sport of kings can be. In the second race of the night, a horse named Blackteca pulled away down the stretch for a close victory — then collapsed seconds after crossing the finish line.
Jockey Sven Balroop fell to the ground but walked away unharmed as trainer Steve Keplin Jr. rushed to the side of his horse. Medics and the track vet determined the horse could not be saved.
'Unfortunately, he had to be humanely euthanized by the on-site regulatory vet,' said Dunn.
'These horses are reviewed by a vet every morning, every horse gets a pre-race veterinary inspection, they're monitored in the paddock, they're monitored warming up for a race and, of course, after the race.'– Darren Dunn commenting on race horse Blackteca, who had to be humanely euthanized by the on-site regulatory vet.
'Statistically, these occurrences are rare, but they can happen. We trust in the experts. These horses are reviewed by a vet every morning, every horse gets a pre-race veterinary inspection, they're monitored in the paddock, they're monitored warming up for a race and, of course, after the race. But it's still very unfortunate.'
The 2025 Derby drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory, with the biggest handle in track history for a seven-race card. The biggest payout came in the form of the Jackpot Pick 5, which began the night with a carryover pot of $465,218 and ended up just north of $2 million for winners to split — a winning 20-cent ticket paid $2,469.46.
You have to wonder how many more folks would have cashed in had Take Charge Tom run a clean race.
Racing continues at Assiniboia Downs through every Tuesday and Wednesday, and on select Mondays, through Oct. 8.
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Mike McIntyreReporter
Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.
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