Venue, Time
Venue: Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg, Manitoba (dirt, left-handed)
Race: Manitoba Matron Stakes (Race 2), 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs), fillies and mares, purse approximately $50,000
Post time: Approximately 8:00 PM local time (Race 2)
The official entry list confirms five runners with assigned weights and post positions for Race 2 on Sept. 16 at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.
Weather and track outlook
Forecast: Clear to partly cloudy evening, warm
Temperature: Around 24°C (mid-70s °F) at post
Precipitation: Low chance; light winds
Track expectation: Fast (dry) main track given the fair-weather outlook
Handicapping portals list the Sept. 17 card with few clouds and 24°C for the Manitoba Matron timeframe, which aligns with a fast surface expectation for the Sept. 16 evening stakes as posted; local conditions point to minimal weather disruption.
Confirmed field, posts, weights, connections
1 — Burrow Down (USA), 6yo m, 123 lb; J: Damario Bynoe; T: Mike Taphorn
2 — Marvelous Lady (USA), 5yo m, 118 lb; J: Sven Balroop; T: Steve Keplin Jr.
3 — Welcometohollywood (USA), 3yo f, 117 lb; J: Antonio Whitehall; T: Jared Brown
4 — Magic Chrome (USA), 5yo m, 118 lb; J: Ronald Ali; T: Rick A. Wise
5 — Baby Gundin (USA), 7yo m, 123 lb; J: Javaniel R. Patterson; T: Jerry Gourneau
Runner-by-runner analysis
1. Burrow Down (Post 1)
Profile: High-percentage mare and track specialist; 26: 11-2-5 overall, 10 wins from 15 at Assiniboia; multiple route wins including 1850–2000m equivalents.
Recent form: 4th of 6 in Miss Imperial Overnight S. (1710m) three weeks ago as favorite; prior win in Canada S. (1509m) with authority.
Jockey/trainer: Damario Bynoe/Mike Taphorn; strong T/J numbers and consistent placement at this venue.
Set-up: Rails draw suits her tactical speed/pressing style; proven at track and trip range. Big-class mare with reliable late kick on a fast surface.
Burrow Down’s deep local resume, recent stakes win, and inside draw make her the standard setter despite a last-out defeat as favorite.
2. Marvelous Lady (Post 2)
Profile: Consistent stakes-level mare; 27: 6-3-4; reliable top-three finisher at Assiniboia.
Recent form: Third in the Miss Imperial Overnight S. behind Baby Gundin and Magic Chrome; earlier runner-up to Burrow Down in the Canada S..
Jockey/trainer: Sven Balroop/Steve Keplin Jr.; positive trainer-jockey combo stats noted in formguides.
Set-up: Stalker who fits underneath; needs an efficient trip and a pace boost to turn the tables on the top two.
Her steady profile makes her a logical exacta/tri piece, though she’s been second-best to the top choices lately.
3. Welcometohollywood (Post 3)
Profile: In-form 3-year-old filly climbing fast; 15: 6-4-2; arrives on a streak (seeking the hat trick) with strong local stats.
Recent form: Two wins in a row at Assiniboia; overall 2025 campaign marked by consistent finishes and upward trajectory.
Jockey/trainer: Antonio Whitehall/Jared Brown; effective barn with a high-percentage pilot in local stakes.
Set-up: Versatile pace style; can sit close and pounce. The stretch to 1 1/8 miles is the question, but her current form suggests she’ll stay if the early fractions are sensible.
The progressive filly is the main threat to Burrow Down, with tactical speed and top current condition.
4. Magic Chrome (Post 4)
Profile: Honest 5-year-old by California Chrome; 23: 5-4-2; strong local record and recent sharpness.
Recent form: Runner-up in Miss Imperial Overnight S.; prior win two back, indicating she holds her form well.
Jockey/trainer: Ronald Ali/Rick A. Wise; capable connections with stakes experience at ASD.
Set-up: Projects a pressing/stalking trip. Needs to find a length or two on the top pair late but fits well in the exotics and could capitalize if the favorites hook up early.
She’s a live underneath player with upside if pace dynamics turn favorable.
5. Baby Gundin (Post 5)
Profile: Hard-knocking 7-year-old; 30: 8-5-6; arrives off a decisive stakes win in the Miss Imperial Overnight S..
Recent form: Multiple wins this campaign; tactical speed to make her own trip; beat several of today’s rivals last out.
Jockey/trainer: Javaniel R. Patterson/Jerry Gourneau; high-production barn with a mare in peak form.
Set-up: Outside draw gives options to press or sit second flight. The added sixteenth to 1 1/8 miles is mildly testing, but her recent finish suggests she can see it out with a controlled tempo.
Her last-out win stamps her as a must-use across verticals; she’s the pace key for the race shape.
Pace and trip projection
Likely leaders/pressers: Baby Gundin, Magic Chrome, Welcometohollywood
First run behind speed: Burrow Down saving ground from the rail
Deeper stalk/late run: Marvelous Lady
If Baby Gundin and Magic Chrome ensure an honest pace, Burrow Down’s rail-skirting, sustained run becomes the winning blueprint. If the tempo backs up, Welcometohollywood’s tactical gear makes her the danger late.
Recent finishes and surface notes
Multiple runners exit the Aug. 27 Miss Imperial Overnight Stakes (1710m) at Assiniboia on a firm/fast dirt surface: Baby Gundin won, Magic Chrome second, Marvelous Lady third, Burrow Down fourth as favorite. Earlier, Burrow Down dominated the July 16 Canada Stakes (1509m), and has repeatedly excelled over local routes, reinforcing her fast-track preference at ASD.
Market shape (fair-line estimate): Burrow Down narrowly favored over Welcometohollywood, with Baby Gundin next; Magic Chrome and Marvelous Lady the value for minors
Form guides and entries frame Burrow Down and Welcometohollywood as the top pair based on current form, track affinity, and recent stakes efforts; Baby Gundin’s last-out stakes win should command respect in the wagering as a pace player.
Suggested wagers
Win: Burrow Down (Post 1)
Exacta: 1 over 3, 5 (backup 3 over 1)
Trifecta: 1, 3 over 1, 3, 5 over 2, 4, 5
Daily Double/Horizontal (if applicable): Key 1 with logical singles/duals in adjacent legs
Rationale: Burrow Down’s blend of class, prolific local ledger, and ground-saving draw is the most reliable profile at nine furlongs. Welcometohollywood is the form threat with tactical versatility. Baby Gundin is the pace fulcrum and a must-use underneath; Magic Chrome and Marvelous Lady offer tri value if the flow suits.
Quick reference: field snapshot
Distance/surface: 1 1/8 miles, dirt; evening stakes
Top profiles: Burrow Down (class/track), Welcometohollywood (current form), Baby Gundin (pace/last-out stakes winner)
Trip keys: Honest but not suicidal pace favors tactical closers from the rail and second flight.
