by Bob Gates On Monday, August 5, 2019, the Queen's Cup trophy will make her way to the Assiniboia Downs winner's circle to be presented to the Derby champion. Don’t worry she knows the way, it's a trip she's made many times, but this one's special. This is the 50th!...
by Bob Gates It's been 50 years since Fire N Desire won the 21st running of the Manitoba Derby. The recent media flood of documentaries reminds us of another event that shares this anniversary. Fire N Desire's July 19, 1969 Derby romp took place on the eve of the...
by Bob Gates Polo Park racetrack played host to some of the most historic races in Western Canada including the Manitoba Derby, Canadian Derby, Winnipeg Futurity and the Western Canada Handicap, the latter of which featured some of the greatest weight carriers in...
by Bob Gates What's the wackiest injury that resulted in a jockey cancelling his mounts for the day? There aren't any records on the subject, but I think I've got a good one. On June 24, 1981 Larry Bird booked-off his mounts because he had sliced his finger while...
by Bob Gates When we left off last week's blog story, horse racing's future in Winnipeg looked bleak. R. J. Speers had known for some time that the Polo Park site was too valuable to be used for summer race meets and had taken an option on 200 acres in what was then...