Blog
Remembering “Hustlin” Hugo Dittfach’s epic journey: From Concentration Camp to Leading Jockey
From World War ll Concentration Camp to 1958 Leading Jockey Title at the Downs by Bob Gates As a young boy Hugo Dittfach spent three years in a Russian prison camp. His journey through life would see him find his way to Calgary, Alberta where he would find work at a...
Opening day 2018 beckons at ASD. A little history!
by Bob Gates Everyone's talking about the Kentucky Derby and Mothers' Day is just around the corner. You know what that means! Live racing is set to return to Assiniboia Downs! After a seven-month hiatus the Downs launches its 2018 season of thoroughbred horse racing...
Approaching a Day at the Races with Tom Hammond
Night School Handicapping Video courtesy of Jeremy Plonk and his Handicapping Team at HorsePlayerNow.com Approaching a Day at The Races You should always do some homework before you attend the races. It will save you money. Try to determine how each race will set up...
Marking the Past Performances
Night School Handicapping Video courtesy of Jeremy Plonk and his Handicapping Team at HorsePlayerNow.com Marking the Past Performances Once you understand the data and the running lines in the Past Performances, it's time to start marking them up, evaluating them for...
How to Read the Past Performances – Part 2
Night School Handicapping Video courtesy of Jeremy Plonk and his Handicapping Team at HorsePlayerNow.com Part 2 of an extensive lesson on how to read the Past Performances by Joe Kristufek In Part 2 of How to Read the Past Performances, Joe Kristufec goes over the...
How to Read the Past Performances – Part 1
Night School Handicapping Video courtesy of Jeremy Plonk and his Handicapping Team at HorsePlayerNow.com An extensive lesson on how to read the Past Performances by Joe Kristufek If you want to be successful at betting on horses, you have to know how to read the Past...
A little Magic and a lot of Bull
by Bob Gates with George Williams photos The Downs' historic 60th Season of thoroughbred racing winds up this Sunday, September 10 and what a year! I've been doing these blog stories for the past six seasons of live racing and after 100 plus stories from our...
My Game, the big grey gelding from North Dakota
by Bob Gates This week we look back at the unlikely beginnings of one of the most consistent and capable platers to ever run at Assiniboia Downs - brothers, Elery and Marlow Scherbenske's grey gelding, My Game. What attributes make a horse, great? Try as I might I...
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...