Assiniboia Downs

Racing Through Time. History Cases: The 2026 Edition

Racing Through Time. History Cases: The 2026 Edition

Assiniboia Downs History Case (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates The “Racing Through Time” display in the front lobby has a fresh look to it for the 2026 racing season. Have you noticed? You know the area we’re talking about, just inside...

Five Days in May

Five Days in May

Jack Robertson Celebration of Life, May 27, 2026 (Robertson Family) By Track Historian Bob Gates Some of you might recognize our title as a 1993 song by Blue Rodeo. Songwriter Jim Cuddy used the lyrics to describe the “familiar, timeless feeling of a deep connection...

Omaha Warrior: The Fountain of Youth

Omaha Warrior: The Fountain of Youth

Danelson's Omaha Warrior is HBPA's Top 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding for 2025 (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates You might wonder why a three-year-old gelding with four career starts somehow rates a historical blog story, and that’s a fair...

Jason Homer Showcases Exceptional Talent, Prime Suspect Romps Again

Jason Homer Showcases Exceptional Talent, Prime Suspect Romps Again

,First-time starter Acquire and Shavon Townsend win the sixth race on Wednesday for trainer Jason Homer, giving Homer a 1-2-3 finish in the race. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Most people consider trainer stats and percentages when they’re...

Honouring the Master of K5 Stables and the Race that Bears His Name

Honouring the Master of K5 Stables and the Race that Bears His Name

Some of the K5 awards on display at the K-Tel head office trophy case 2013 (Bob Gates photo)  By Track Historian Bob Gates It’s hard to believe that K5’s Philip Kives has been gone for ten years. The memory of April 27, 2016, remains strong. In the late afternoon,...

The Pilgrimage

The Pilgrimage

Dick Armstrong, September 28, 1940 – November 16, 2009 (Gerry Hart photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates Five, four, three, two, one, and they’re off! On May 12, 2026, Assiniboia Downs launched season #69 and once again my universe was back in sync. It was a cool spring...

Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week

Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week

Jockey Antonio Whitehall congratulated by trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. after winning the third race on Wednesday with Prime Suspect. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G. S. Thompson Steve Keplin, Jr., Antonio Whitehall White Hot in Opening Week2025 Manitoba...