Blog
Strawberry Shortcake, a Leather Coat and the Flying Filly
by Bob Gates There is nothing sweeter than the memories evoked by one of God's majestic creations - the thoroughbred racehorse. Almost 50 years have passed since the talented bay filly, Ruling Lark ruled the roost at Assiniboia Downs. I have wanted to do the story of...
Horses made jockey Jimmy Anderson whole
by Bob Gates When Sir Winston Churchill said that "there's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man" it was like he knew Jimmy Anderson. James E. Anderson was the son of track veterinarian Dr. Norm and Mrs. Peggy Anderson. Jim and...
Johnny, Eddie and Willie – Legends of the Turf at Assiniboia Downs
by Bob Gates Over the years the Downs has played host to all sorts of dignitaries, from professional athletes to royalty, but some of the most popular guests have been heroes from the Sport of Kings. There have been many, but none more special than racing legends...
The Manitoba Derby, The Forgotten Years – 1930 to 1940
by Bob Gates It's been 57 years since Jack Hardy resurrected our Manitoba Derby in 1960 and this year's Derby is the 69th running of what was once touted as the "Run for the Tartan." I've never been a math genius, but those figures just don't add up. The problem...
Stuart Polet’s Fud was no Dud!
by Bob Gates In 2015 the Wheat City Stakes was renamed the Manitoba Mile and Friday, July 28 marks the 40th Anniversary of Stuart Polet's "Fud the Stud's" win in the Wheat City in 1977. What? You've never heard of Fud the Stud? Well, I'm just having a little fun, Fud...
Racehorses, Forever Homes & the Final Furlong
by Bob Gates I'm back following a week's hiatus due to one of the ugliest bouts of, well, why don't we just call it a bad case of colic and leave it at that. I'm still on the mend and am writing this from what was a week ago, my death-bed. This week I have a story...
The Benjamins of Miles City, Montana, A Gem of a family
by Bob Gates Montana's state motto is "Oro y Plata" (Spanish for gold and silver). The mountains of Montana have yielded fortunes in gold and silver since they were first discovered in the mid 1800s, but Big Sky Country's real riches are its people. This week's story...
Milo, Munnie & Minne, the Out-of-Towners
by Bob Gates I've been writing this blog for going on six years and for the most part the stories have concentrated on local horsemen and their thoroughbreds. The Downs wouldn’t have survived all these years, however, if it were not for the "out-of-towners." For years...
The Rivalry. Northern Spike and Mr. Macho
by Bob Gates Mr. Macho and Northern Spike's two-year rivalry at Assiniboia Downs was a classic. Why just 1979 and 80? Well, after 1980 "Spike" raced at the Downs until May 1984. "Macho" move to Woodbine and Fort Erie in 1981 with "pit stops" at Santa Anita and...
Harry “The Little Tiger” Jeffrey was the Heart and Soul of Assiniboia Downs
by Bob Gates Winnipeg native, Harry Jeffrey was in a word "Special." He was fair, well-respected, and when called for, a no nonsense kind of guy. Jeffrey was also the first employee of Assiniboia Downs. When Jack Hardy started looking for someone to...