By Bob Gates
Since assuming my duties as your track historian 15 years ago, several interesting artifacts have been unearthed. You may have noticed some of them on display in the Downs Racing Through Time area. However, there are others waiting for their turn in the spotlight. Rather than delay their appearance, let’s take a look at a sampling of these treasured pieces.
1950 Western Canada Handicap Tray – 25th running
Lord Fairmond was owned by the Whittier Park Stock Farm, trained by Duke Campbell, bred by R. J. Speers and on June 24, 1950 ridden by Rex Leavitt. Lord Fairmond was 3rd choice on the board behind heavily favoured Pagan Star, who finished in the show position, and 2nd choice Fort Garry who ran last in the five-horse field. In an easy to miss piece of trivia, the 2nd-place finisher, Gallon of Gold was ridden by Anthony Licata, father of former Downs jockey Frank Licata.
1952 Speers Handicap Trophy – 27th running
On September 13, 1952 at Polo Park racetrack a 4-year-old colt named Coiner came from off the pace to win the Speers by a short nose. While his name may not be familiar, his daddy was a horse with glowing credentials. His father was none other than Triple Crown winner Whirlaway. In 1941 Whirlaway swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes to become only the 5th horse in history to win the American Triple Crown. The 72-year-old engraving on the Speers trophy reads:
27th Running of the
Speers Handicap
Polo Park Winnipeg
Sept. 13th 1952
One Mile and Seventy Yards
Danelson Blinkers – circa 1960s
We can’t be too sure who wore these Danelson stable blinkers, perhaps Pen Pal, Sal’s Imp, Cosmic Tip, Merci Mac, Teddy Ty or Marketable, but the equipment has stood the test of time. They bear the circle “D” insignia for Downs all-time leading trainer Gary Danelson. It may not be easy to see from the photo, but the eye cups are made of leather, not plastic!
1966 Speers Memorial Handicap
On July 1, 1966 owner/trainer Gary Danelson’s Cosmic Tip won the Speers over a very sloppy track with jockey Roger Jensen aboard. The plate on the top of Gary’s alarm clock memento reads:
James Speers
Memorial Handicap
Assiniboia Downs
1966
1966 Golden Boys Purse
On August 10, 1966 owner/trainer Bob McLaughlin’s Luwalt won the Manitoba Golden Boys purse, and almost 60 years later this souvenir pen/coin set has survived. Downs top jock Bobby Stewart was the lucky recipient of the above.
2005 Manitoba Derby Saddle Cloth
Who could ever forget Prime Time TV’s miraculous last to first move on August 1, 2005 in the Manitoba Derby. When Prime Time passed the grandstand for the first time he was dead last, after ¾ of a mile he was 10th in the 11-horse field, and then one by one he picked off the field. At the top of the stretch he had a six-length lead, which he increased to more than ten when he hit the wire – and here’s his saddle cloth, how cool is that!
2017 Hazel Wright Sire Stakes
On June 10, 2017 Escape Clause was just getting started. Manitoba’s million-dollar mare’s win in the Hazel Wright improved her record to three victories in five career starts. She would go on to record 20 firsts, 5 seconds and 4 thirds in 35 career starts for $866,100 in earnings (US funds), which we’ll call $1,000,000 in Canadian funds. The above trophy was awarded to her rider Adolfo Morales.
What do you think? It’s a pretty classy collection of local racing relics that date back 80 years. We here at the history blog would like to thank Wayne Anderson, Randy Martin, Gary Danelson, the late Wayne Stewart, the Richardson family, Darlene Wedge and Adolfo Morales for their generous gifts.