After you take Mom out for brunch this Mother’s Day, how about some horse racing to round out the afternoon?
Sunday, May 10 marks opening day at the Assiniboia Downs race track. Trainer Clayton Gray looks to have a top contender: Black Iris, a Kentucky purchase from the dispersal sale of a major horse owner, J. Mack Robinson, who was hit hard by a big bank failure in the U.S.
The first race on opening day will be the Don Gray Memorial Purse. Don Gray, from Dominion City, passed away suddenly Christmas Day in 1993 at the age of 57. At the time of his passing he was the all-time leading trainer in Winnipeg with 879 wins. He trained 34 years at Assiniboia Downs and currently sits second in the all-time trainer standing. Gary Danelson sits first with 1074 wins in 49 seasons.
Black Iris has started twice in her career — at Belmont Park and Aqueduct in New York. Dueling for the lead in both tries, she faded in the stretch each time.
Post time is 1 p.m. at the Downs.
Handout photo
