by G. S. Thompson "Longshot Les" Buzzell captured his second Player's Choice Handicapping Tournament title at Assiniboia Downs last Saturday, but if you think he did it by taking wild stabs in the dark, think again. The 61-year-old Montreal native, who owns a...
By Track Historian Bob Gates On May 21, 2023, Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Irwin Driedger passed away following a long battle with cancer. Over the next four weeks, we will look back at some of Irwin’s 969 wins and remember the man who spent eight full seasons riding...
Brian "Ivan Bigg" Gory By G. S. Thompson Brian Gory, known to many in the racing world as "Ivan Bigg," passed away on March 20, 2025, at 4:55 a.m. – symbolically on the first day of spring – after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81, just eight days shy...
Trainer Mike Taphorn with Manitoba-bred star No Show No Call. (George Williams) By G. S. Thompson Assistant Director of Racing Derek Corbel reports there are now 200 horses on the grounds as opening day Tuesday, May 13 fast approaches, with four more trainers shipping...
This is the last installment of our Ken Hendricks Snapshot in Time feature. In 2004, Hank piloted the favoured Deputy Country to victory in the 45th running of the R. J. Speers Stakes. It marked the last time Hank won the Speers—a race he captured a record-setting six...
Trainer Mike Nault exercising his new claim Load Abroad. (George Williams) By G. S. Thompson Nault Enters 2025 Season with "Best Stable Ever" Leading riders Prayven Badrie and Antonio Whitehall back in action Two-time leading ASD rider and reigning champ Prayven...
This is installment number three of our salute to the late Ken Hendricks. Hank won two Manitoba Derbies, and while most will remember his victory on Merry’s Jay in 1976, who recalls his win aboard Langara Island on August 7, 1995—30 years ago? Ken took charge of the...
Hannah Kraychuk has been grooming horses for trainer Jared Brown for four years. She loves her work. And her horses. (George Williams) Learn How to Become a Racehorse Groom! Spring training is underway and the annual Manitoba HBPA Groom School is now taking...
Saskatchewan sire Vindgari is a half brother to Grade 1 stakes winner Geri, shown here winning the 1997 Woodbine Mile. (Michael Burns photo) by G. S. Thompson We complete our analysis of Manitoba/Saskatchewan stallions this week with our final three sires: Vindgari,...
This is Week #2 of our review of highlights from the late Kenny Hendricks’ career at Assiniboia Downs. On October 8, 1978 Merry’s Jay scored an upset win over heavily favoured Island Fling in the 21st Running of the Gold Cup. It was Hank’s third win in the classic and...