By Track Historian Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is now in our rearview mirror, and we still have another half of the 2025 racing season to enjoy. Where does the time go? Speaking of time, track photographer Jason Halstead is in his 10th year with Assiniboia Downs. It...
Manitoba Derby favourite Take Charge Tom on his way to winning the Derby Trial for trainer Robertino Diodoro and owner Randy Howg. Rasheed Hughes in the saddle. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson The 77th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby is set...
By Bob Gates, Track Historian With the Manitoba Derby just around the corner, how about another one of our Photo Blogs? They say a picture is worth a thousand words—so let’s not waste any time; we’ve got a lot to say. The Derby photo archive is loaded with plenty of...
Eventual R. C. Anderson Stakes winner Twolefttoload trails the field early in the race. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Twolefttoload went from last to first to win the 50th running of the R.C. Anderson Stakes; jockey Sven Balroop topped all...
June 9, 2017 Overnight Stakes Honouree - Merry's Jay (Gerry Hart) By Track Historian Bob Gates This season, the Assiniboia Downs Overnight Stakes Series has ten burning candles on its birthday cake. Credit for the creation of the Overnight Stakes goes to the Manitoba...
Take Charge Tom and jockey Rasheed Hughes win the $50,000 Derby Trial on Monday evening at ASD. $100 Winner Triggers Monster Pick 4 Payoff, Stakes Feast Entertains Loud Crowds By G.S. Thompson What a week! Four stakes, a $104.10 winner, a $27,239.05 Pick 4, and big...
R.C. Anderson Trophy (Jason Halstead) By Track Historian Bob Gates On June 11, 1975, Robert Carr “Bob” Anderson, husband of Victoria May Anderson, passed away, and our racing fraternity lost a special friend and contributor. Not long after Bob’s death, a race was...
Mechanic Susie, one of four winners for jockey Antonio Whitehall this week. (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo) By G.S. Thompson Antonio Whitehall was the hot jockey for the second week in a row, trainer Jason Homer scored a hat trick and helped apprentice Ciera...
Queen's Cup (Jason Halstead) By Track Historian Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby, Winnipeg Futurity, Gold Cup and R. J. Speers combine for more than 300 years of memorable races. This week our story is about the hardware that’s up for grabs, and not so much the history of...
Dwayne McIvor and family having fun at ASD. By G.S. Thompson Sometimes the stars just align for you. Just ask Dwayne McIvor, who celebrated his 45th birthday on July 8th by capturing his first ASD Handicapping Challenge victory in dominant fashion, turning his $48...