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15 minutes with Smoky Cinder

  Competitive fires still burning in local living legend by Bob Who knew? Downs’ legendary graded stakes-placed and multiple stakes winner Smoky Cinder, a grandson of the mighty Northern Dancer, is alive and well at 20! One night at the track I approached the man...

Merry’s Jay: Lord of Avondale and the Toast of Manitoba

  First Manitoba-bred ever to win the Manitoba Derby by Bob In 1976 Merry’s Jay won the Harry Jeffrey Stakes. Eight days later he became the first Manitoba-bred ever to win our own Manitoba Derby. Only two other horses have won the Harry Jeffrey Stakes (which is...

Body Works, Super Filly and Grandam to a Champion!

  High class Manitoba thoroughbred family resulted in Santa Anita Derby-G1 winner by Bob In 1992 local legendary trainer, the late Don Gray, described 3-year-old Body Works as the best filly he had ever trained. That’s about as high praise as you can get around...

Canada Day, Intercontinent, ASD Record Maker!

  Kives' classy chestnut speedster one of the best ever to race at Downs by Bob This past Monday marked the 37th running of the $30,000 Canada Day Stakes for fillies and mares. Officially it may have been the 37th running, but a quick glance back at the record...

Golden Stripe, Balooga Bull ready for upcoming stakes

  Golden Stripe seeks repeat in Canada Day, Balooga Bull heading for Wheat City by Rob I don’t think Balooga Bull is the same horse. Actually it’s confirmed that he’s not the same horse, but he keeps winning regardless. Golden Stripe is not the same mare either,...

Portales measures rival to win $30,000 Chantilly Stakes

  Winnipeg Futurity winner now 2-for-2 at Downs as a 3-year-old by George Portales assumed the lead from the gate and held off Alberta shipper Canaveral Leader through the stretch to win the 33rd running of the $30,000 Chantilly Stakes at Assiniboia Downs on...