by George If winning the Manitoba Derby was based solely on the company you kept, Master Lightning would be tough to beat. The royally-bred stakes-placed son of Bluegrass Stakes-G1 winner Pulpit had been running competitively against the best 3-year-olds in North...
by George On Andy's Advice is one of two horses in this year's Manitoba Derby conditioned by veteran horseman Wally T.M. Pugh. Like his stablemate Wilko Rum, On Andy's Advice is by 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1 winner Wilko, and if you want a good example of pure...
by George Jet Again will be the favourite among those with Manitoba connections in this year's Derby and for good reason. The homebred gelding by top local sire Going Commando moved up multiple class levels while also stretching out for the first time this year in his...
by George Wilko Rum is the first horse ever to run in the Manitoba Derby after beginning his career in Puerto Rico. The chestnut colt made his first six lifetime starts at Hipodromo Camarero, formerly known as El Comandante Race Track, 20 minutes outside San Juan....
by Bob The first “Derby” was run in 1930; although from 1930 to 1933 it was known as the Manitoba Stakes. In 1934 the name of the race was officially changed to the Manitoba Derby. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the race was the brainchild of Robert...
by Bob The Manitoba Derby is coming up Monday, August 4, so how about a trip down memory lane for our annual Derby tale. Local cattleman, Helmuth "Harry" Gumprich will never be famous for his efforts in our Derby, but I have a soft spot for Manitoba horsemen who enter...
by George There was a lot of digging in and wearing down going on Saturday night at Assinboia Downs, and when it was all over more than one person walked away with a $2 Pick-4 that paid $5,363.60. Favourites were defeated in every leg. There was a hint of extra...
by George Friday night started slow at ASD, but it certainly picked up speed starting in the fourth race with a combination of longshots, huge Superfecta payoffs and a Pick-4 carryover of $6,149. As a result, the Pick-4 pool on Saturday night could swell to $15,000 or...
by Bob Talk of ponies and a princess evokes thoughts of a fairytale. Insert politicians and it becomes a nightmare. Thirty-two years have passed since one fateful day in July 1982, but it's a blemish on track history is difficult to forget. It was supposed to be an...
by George Balooga Bull brought his "A" game for the Wheat City Stakes, Jet Again did the same in the Harry Jeffrey Stakes, and Paul Nolan won half of the eight races in front of a large appreciative crowd on Wednesday night at the Downs. Balooga Bull had lost two in a...