Month: August 2016

Good-bye Garylle Stewart. April 21, 1940 – August 1, 2016

Good-bye Garylle Stewart. April 21, 1940 – August 1, 2016

by Bob Gates The August 1, 2016 Manitoba Derby will be one I never forget, and forever remember, as bittersweet. The inclement weather created a dream track if you were a mudder, but it was a less than ideal day for the Manitoba Jockey Club, which was hoping to draw a...

Remembering Cosmic Tip and his 1966 R. J. Speers Memorial Handicap

Remembering Cosmic Tip and his 1966 R. J. Speers Memorial Handicap

 by Bob Gates Who knew? This year's running of the R. J. Speers on August 17 marks the 50th anniversary of Gary Danelson and Cosmic Tip's win in the Speers in 1966. There may be a few veterans that recall the name Cosmic Tip, but even they probably aren't familiar...

Fun-Loving, Dimpled, Good Guy, Mikey

Fun-Loving, Dimpled, Good Guy, Mikey

 by Bob Gates Mike Rowland rode at Assiniboia Downs from 1981 to 1984, chalking up 455 wins. While his time here was limited to four years, the young man from Saratoga Springs, New York left his footprints on the heart of Assiniboia Downs. Mike's career spanned 26...

Hey Good Lookin’, Attractive or Handsome?

Hey Good Lookin’, Attractive or Handsome?

by Bob Gates Another Manitoba Derby is in the books and congratulations go out to winner Inside Straight and his connections! What a fine looking beast he is! And that got me to thinking about "lookers" from days gone by. Talk about walking into a mine field! With...