Blog
The Day Two Ladies Reigned Supreme at ASD. July 15, 1970 .
by Bob Gates Manitoba was celebrating its centenary in 1970 and the owner of Assiniboia Downs, Jack Hardy, wasn't about to let the occasion pass without taking full advantage. The 22nd running of the Manitoba Derby was the marquee event of the Assiniboia Downs racing...
Plentiful’s 2017 Manitoba Derby triumph provides storybook ending
by Bob Gates Imagine, a blog dedicated to all things historical, and this week we travel all the way back in time to last year's Derby. Murray Duncan and the Estate of Garylle Bruce Stewart's Plentiful won the 69th running of the Manitoba Derby in 2017, and that’s our...
Overskate and Connections Dominate in 1978 Manitoba Derby
by Bob Gates It’s been 40 years since Overskate and Robin Platts spanked five innocent foes in 30th running of the Manitoba Derby on September 9, 1978. Going into the Derby, Overskate was considered the best 3-year-old in Canada. He was voted the best 2-year-old in...
Manitoba Derby: Runs to Remember
by Bob Gates Welcome to the second in our five-part series devoted to the 70th Running of the Manitoba Derby. Today we look at more than 40 years of Derby memories, starting with the most recent and working our way back through time. August 6, 2012 - Winner:...
Everything you wanted to know about the Manitoba Derby, but were afraid to ask
by Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is a month away and what better time to look back at the history of the premiere race of the season. The 2018 edition of the Derby is the 70th running of what was once called "The Run for the Tartn." This week's blog post provides an...
Jim Coleman left a “Hoofprint on our Heart”
by Bob Gates This week's blog story is a departure from our usual tale of yesteryear. In the early 1970s Toronto sports columnist, Jim Coleman took on a task that few would dare try. In 1971 Coleman together with Canadian Publishers, McClelland and Stewart Limited...
G. Sydney Halter. CFL Czar and Lord High Commissioner of Manitoba Horse Racing
by Bob Gates G. Sydney Halter was the fledgling Canadian Football League's (CFL) top boss from 1958 to 1966. As he was winding down his career in the world of Canadian football an opportunity arose for Halter to immerse himself in another sport he held near and dear...
Captain Stanley Harrison – Pioneer of Racing in Winnipeg
by Bob Gates Imagine yourself exploring central Africa much like Henry Morton Stanley in search of missionary and explorer David Livingston and stepping into a clearing from the jungle stands your quarry. Only in this case the phrased uttered is Captain Harrison, I...
Nathan “Nick” Block — Owner, Trainer, Philanthropist
by Bob Gates Owner, trainer, philanthropist. Now there are three words you don't usually see together, at least not in the world of horseracing in this part of the country. Owner, trainer – sure. But philanthropist? And then along comes horseman, Nathan "Nick" Block....
Cowboy Jack Kaenel. A Preakness Memory.
by Bob Gates With this year's Preakness in the books, Justify and jockey Mike Smith are busy preparing their bid for racing's Triple Crown. For reasons unknown to me the recent Preakness stirred-up a 36 year-old memory of the second leg of the Triple Crown. In 1982 a...