It’s the morning before the horse racing season begins at Assiniboia Downs.
As expected on a non-race day, the parking lot and stands are empty. The event centre is also lifeless. There’s no one inside lining up to place a bet on an underdog, nobody slamming the buttons on the VLTs and there are no Downs Burgers on the grill.
The eerily quiet atmosphere that was felt at the track on Sunday morning is something you’d never feel on a race day, let alone the first one of the season. But that’s exactly what the vibe will be tonight when the ponies take the track at 7:30 p.m. with no spectators in sight owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this year having a much different feel to it, Darren Dunn, the CEO of the Downs, was asked if there’s still a reason to feel excited on the eve of the season.
“It doesn’t feel like Christmas Eve. It just feels more like the sense of a relief of a long journey, but still with a lot of miles to go,” Dunn told the Free Press on Sunday.
“Just to get to this point to launch the horses out of the gate was a very trying experience. A lot of things had to go right. We’re so thrilled the government believed in our plan and was willing to support it.”
Assiniboia Downs CEO Darren Dunn and jockey Richard Mangalee. Dunn says he is happy the government allowed the track to open. Mangalee says the empty stands won’t affect riders. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)
Instead of 10,000 people packing the place on opening day, today will only have roughly 50 essential staff members on site. Dunn described a typical opener as “festive, fun and full of people,” but there’s nothing typical about today.
“It’s not going to be festive this year. There will be an element of fun, but it’s going to be very quiet and there will be a lot of elbow space. In 38 years here, that’s something I’m not accustomed to,” Dunn said.
“No roar of the crowd, no people banging the program on their leg, no yelling and screaming. It’s going to be very, very strange. I never imagined I’d be operating the Assiniboia Downs in the form of a library.”
As for the jockeys and their horses, it will be business as usual. Richard Mangalee, a 33-year-old jockey from Trinidad and Tobago, doesn’t think the empty stands will have any effect on the riders and if anything, the horses will benefit from the silence.
“It might be a little better for the horses. They will be calm and more focused on what they’ve got to do. Sometimes when there’s a big crowd, they get anxious. It might be helpful for the horses, but we’ll (still miss) the crowd,” Mangalee said.
“(For me), it’s basically the same thing. When you’re out there, you’re focused on riding your own horse. You’re not focused on other stuff.”
Jockey Richard Mangalee rides the track at Assiniboia Downs Sunday. He said the silence at the Downs ‘might be a little better for the horses.’ (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)
With the majority of their revenue streams off the table, the Downs will heavily rely on sports bettors to help them keep the lights on. The one thing the Downs have going in their favour is the fact they’re the first race track in the country to open for business this year. Unless Korean baseball or Germany’s Bundesliga soccer is your thing, there’s not a whole lot to bet on these days. The Downs are hopeful that will lead to more eyes, and bets made, on their product.
“There’s still a lack of content out there. We should still have some first-mover advantage until other tracks come on and a lot of them will in June and progressively after that. We specifically moved our live race meet schedule to target an online audience. We would never normally race Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at night. This is purely a televised audience, an online audience, and our strategy was totally laser-focused on that,” Dunn explained.
There was a time not too long ago where the Downs feared the entire season would be lost. The fact they’re now at a point where they can have races at all is a big win, but Dunn said now isn’t the time to take a victory lap.
“There’s still a lot of concern, a lot of worries and a lot of work to be done, but this is a strong step forward,” Dunn said.
“Being able to have live races begins the healing process.”
Fans can place their bets and watch the live races at HPIbet.com. The races will also be shown on MTS Channels 179-180 and streamed on asdowns.com.
taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @TaylorAllen31
Taylor Allen Reporter
Eighteen years old and still in high school, Taylor got his start with the Free Press on June 1, 2011. Well, sort of.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
