Month: July 2016

Bimbo the Pony, Legend and Legacy

Bimbo the Pony, Legend and Legacy

by Bob Gates All of you who remember or who have ever heard of a horse named "Bimbo" please raise your hands. I don't see many arms in the air. That's not unexpected. Until I found an old obscure newspaper article from the now defunct Winnipeg Tribune I didn't know...

Super Hi 5 Fever at the Downs, Payoff Records & Lucky 777s

Super Hi 5 Fever at the Downs, Payoff Records & Lucky 777s

  by Bob Gates Assiniboia Downs under quarantine? No! But these days Downs' patrons are suffering from Super Hi 5 fever as the carryover is now in excess of a quarter of a million dollars. That makes it a perfect time to take a look at Downs' record payoffs from...

Astral Moon – Bill Grohn’s Saskatchewan speed demon

Astral Moon – Bill Grohn’s Saskatchewan speed demon

by Bob Gates Every once in while a mare comes along who distinguishes herself from all others. Multiple stakes winner Astral Moon was just such a mare, but her career was slow in getting started. Owned and trained by Bill Grohn of Weyburn Saskatchewan, Astral Moon was...

Michael Magee – Colourful Canadian CBC Commentator from Caledon

Michael Magee – Colourful Canadian CBC Commentator from Caledon

by Bob Gates Remember Michael Magee? Michael was a man of many talents: actor, writer, narrator, producer, director, freelance broadcaster and CBC Sports' horse racing analyst/commentator from 1964 to 1986. Frankly, nobody did it better. I hadn't thought about Michael...