Dear Insider Subscriber:
 
Hi again!   With tomorrow being the second Wednesday of live racing, I thought I'd add a little contest fun.  Predict the handle for the live race card.  If you're closest without going over--and are within at least $1,000 of the actual amount--you'll get $50.  And you'll get an additonal $50 if you're present when the handle amount is announced after the last race.  Email your prediction IN THE SUBJECT LINE to theinsider@assiniboiadowns.com by NOON tomorrow (Wednesday).  One prediction per person per email address, please.  And please include your name, address and phone number with your prediction.  
 
So how's that for adding some extra interest to tomorrow's race card?  Last Wednesday the handle was $182,000 compared to $75,000 on Sunday a year ago.  Will it grow tomorrow?  That's for you to predict.  If no one correctly predicts tomorrow's handle, the prize will continue to grow by $50 each Wednesday.
 
And, oh yes, a new treat has been added to Wednesdays:  Ribs 'n' wings specials and happy hour bar pricing!  So you can head out to the track straight from the office to unwind over a basket of lip-smacking ribs and a brewski for under $10!  Or, of course, you can reserve a place in the Terrace Dining Room for a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, including lavish dessert table, for $29.95.  Phone 885-3330 to reserve.
 
Exciting live racing begins at 7 p.m.  Watch out for hot apprentice jockey Chavion Chow.  Since winning his first lifetime race two Saturdays ago aboard Shrike's Coin ($26.30), he has won three more races for an incredible 27 per cent winning rate!  He's on two 10-1 horses tomorrow and well worth considering for your tri's and supers.
 
The free Triple Q Challenge game continues as well.  The pool has grown to $200 cash which will be awarded to the entrant who correctly predicts the top two horses in three races.  And it's InstaFrame Fantastic Fan night.  Someone will be drawn from Triple Q entries to make a Winner's Circle presentation and receive a beautifully-framed memento of the special occasion.  Play the memory game, too!
 
Guess what?  A controversial jockey has returned to the Downs.  Who is it?  I'll tell you in Thursday's Insider.  See ya then!  Now, good luck in your handle prediction!   
 
-- Ivan