Race Date: Monday, July 14, 2025
Post Time: 9:15 PM CT
Track: Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Race Type: Stakes — $50,000 purse
Distance: 7½ furlongs (Dirt)
Eligibility: 3-year-olds and up
Field Overview & Morning Line Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Pedigree | Odds |
| 1 | Malibu S S | Jerry Gourneau | Dane Dawkins | Malibu Moon × Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister) | 5-1 |
| 2 | Runtoday | Sherri Laing | Rachaad Knights | Runhappy × Artistic Life (Distorted Humor) | 20-1 |
| 3 | Fearless Soldier | Jose Silva Jr. | Guillermo Rodriguez | City of Light × Hessie’s Girl (Giant’s Causeway) | 2-1 |
| 4 | The Ronald | Jason Homer | Neville Stephenson | Ransom the Moon × Lorna’s Tapit (Tapit) | 15-1 |
| 5 | Confusing | Devon Gittens | Shavon Belle | More Than Ready × Baffle Me (First Samurai) | 12-1 |
| 6 | Magic Tiger | Wendy Anderson | Ronald Ali | Smiling Tiger × Funny Gal (Lucky Pulpit) | 30-1 |
| 7 | Big Nick | Murray Duncan | Sven Balroop | Bayern × Appearance (Harlington) | 40-1 |
| 8 | Pinky Ring Bling | Jerry Gourneau | Lenny Seecharan | Too Much Bling × Formal Flyer (Early Flyer) | 25-1 |
| 9 | Blazing Bo | Michael Nault | Antonio Whitehall | Oxbow × Tapanel (Tapit) | 6-1 |
| 10 | Judo | Steve Keplin Jr. | Prayven Badrie | Street Sense × Our Love Tap (Tapit) | 3-1 |
| 11 | Corredor | Norbert Keshane | Damario Bynoe | Klimt × My Foolish Heart (Sky Mesa) | 20-1 |
Pedigree & Performance Insights
Fearless Soldier — The Class Edge
Sire: City of Light — elite miler with stamina and speed.
Dam: Hessie’s Girl by Giant’s Causeway — adds turf class and durability.
Form: Recent runner-up in a Canterbury Park stakes; owns the highest speed figures in the field.
Judo — Tactical Threat
Sire: Street Sense — Kentucky Derby winner known for versatility.
Dam: Our Love Tap by Tapit — stamina-rich bloodline.
Form: Back-to-back wins at Assiniboia Downs, including a thrilling stakes score last out.
Blazing Bo — Local Contender
Sire: Oxbow — Preakness winner with strong dirt credentials.
Dam: Tapanel by Tapit — adds late kick and class.
Form: Multiple wins at Assiniboia; consistent in stakes company.
Malibu S S — Veteran Presence
Sire: Malibu Moon — known for producing durable route runners.
Form: 6-year-old with multiple wins and stakes experience; third last out at Lone Star Park.
Trainer: Jerry Gourneau — top local conditioner with two entries in the race.
Confusing — Woodbine Shipper
Sire: More Than Ready — versatile sire with turf and sprint success.
Form: Recent win at Woodbine over 7 furlongs; could surprise with a clean trip.
Jockey & Trainer Highlights
Antonio Whitehall (Blazing Bo): Multiple-time leading rider at Assiniboia Downs.
Guillermo Rodriguez (Fearless Soldier): Stakes-seasoned pilot with national experience.
Prayven Badrie (Judo): Known for aggressive finishing rides.
Jerry Gourneau (Malibu S S & Pinky Ring Bling): Leading trainer with deep local roots.
Jose Silva Jr. (Fearless Soldier): Shipping in with a live stakes contender.
Top Contenders:
Fearless Soldier Assiniboia Downs stakes favorite
Judo Street Sense gelding local winner
Blazing Bo Oxbow gelding Finger Lakes shipper
Value Plays:
Confusing More Than Ready gelding Woodbine form
Malibu S S Malibu Moon veteran sprinter
The 2025 R. J. Speers Memorial Stakes is shaping up as a tactical battle between proven stakes performers and seasoned local veterans. Fearless Soldier brings national class, while Judo and Blazing Bo offer strong local form. With pedigrees rooted in elite sires like City of Light, Street Sense, and Oxbow, this 7½-furlong dirt test promises a thrilling stretch duel.
