Blog
“Palatial Whittier Park Racetrack” Celebrates Centenary
by Track Historian Bob Gates Tucked away between the Red River and the CNR main line embankment in St. Boniface lies a recreational green space called Whittier Park. However, Father Time and the flood of 1950 have erased any evidence of the old racetrack. The only...
Race Programs: Portals to the Past
by Track Historian Bob Gates How about something just a little different this go around? Our subject this week is race programs of the past, but not just any old programs. Those that follow are special in their own way and with one exception are from my private...
The Stories We Leave Behind
By Track Historian Bob Gates Have you ever wondered what inspires these stories from our racing’s past, a song, a smell, or perhaps even a line from a movie? This time around it’s a quote from the CBS television series NCIS. “We all die twice. Once when our bodies...
They’re Baaack!
By Track Historian Bob Gates The 150th Running of the Kentucky Derby – check. Mothers’ Day Brunch at the Downs – check. So now you know live racing at our Portage Avenue track is just around the corner. Throw in a surprise telephone call from long-since retired...
Past, Present and Future
by Bob Gates The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it. -– Thomas S. Monson It’s been three and a half months since starter Derek Corbel sent the first field of horses on there way to kick-off the Downs 2023...
The Levesque Family – Friends of Assiniboia Downs
by Bob Gates How do you pay tribute to the father/son duo of Jean-Louis and Pierre-Louis, who were important contributors to the history of Assiniboia Downs? It isn’t an easy task, but let’s give it a go. First, we should acknowledge the elephant in the room....
The Room
by Bob Gates Deep within the confines of the north end of the Assiniboia Downs grandstand on the lower level is a restricted area where only jockeys, valets and officials are allowed. Of course, this is “The Room,” the place jockeys call home. Thoughts on the Room:...
Assiniboia Downs – Concert City Extraordinaire
by Bob Gates In the late 1970s and ‘80s Assiniboia Downs developed quite the reputation for hosting concerts as part of the marketing of its horse racing. For the price of admission to the races, you got a pre-race concert thrown in at no extra charge. Bob Wright, son...
Mr. and Mrs. Racing Had All the Wright Stuff!
by Bob Gates Jim and Hazel Wright are the ultimate example of one of those husband/wife partnerships in our Assiniboia Downs family. For the better part of 20 years they owned and operated the Downs. When the time came for them to step away, they did what they could...
Derby Wrap-Up and a Historical Potpourri
by Bob Gates Wasn’t that a Derby! A record-breaking $3,708,804 was wagered on Manitoba’s most prestigious race, making the historic 75th running of the Manitoba Derby the largest Derby Day handle, bettering last year’s mark of $3,523,260. Congratulations to winner...