By G.S. Thompson Experience and Strategy Pays Off in Player's Choice Doug Evans hold on to defeat Free Press handicapper George Williams by a nose. Doug Evans (pictured above) has been handicapping horse races since he was 16 years old, starting at tracks in Toronto...
by Bob Gates Can you believe that come opening day, Monday May 22, 235 days will have passed since our four-legged athletes were called to the post here at the Downs last September 28. So, who’s ready for some live racing! If your keeping track, 2023 will be season...
by Bob Gates Carl Anderson was only 13 years old when Assiniboia Downs opened in 1958, but it didn't take him long to find his way to the Portage Avenue track. Right from the "get-go" young Carl had a fondness for horses and his boyhood home was just northeast of the...
by Bob Gates Following an 11-year absence (2009 -2019) the Downs 2020 stakes race calendar features the return of the Derby Trial. Jack Hardy resurrected the Manitoba Derby in 1960 and since that time 60 Derbies have been run at the Downs. During this same period, the...
by Bob Gates Imagine, a blog dedicated to all things historical, and this week we travel all the way back in time to last year's Derby. Murray Duncan and the Estate of Garylle Bruce Stewart's Plentiful won the 69th running of the Manitoba Derby in 2017, and that’s our...
by Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is a month away and what better time to look back at the history of the premiere race of the season. The 2018 edition of the Derby is the 70th running of what was once called "The Run for the Tartn." This week's blog post provides an...
by Rob The 2012 racing season drew to a close, leaving memories and moments that were incredibly exciting. Balooga Bull dominated over all comers, Portales nailed Tigger Town at the wire in the Winnipeg Futurity and Miss Victoriana made it three years in a row in the...
by Rob This last weekend closes the door on another live race meet at Assiniboia Downs. Just for something a little different, I’d like to give my opinion on a few things before I get into what everyone wants, the picks and analysis. Most Impressive Performances of...
by Bob “The Buffalo” -- What a great name for a stakes race dedicated to Manitoba-breds! Is there a name that better represents our Province? This Sunday marks the 50th running of this prestigious race for the “babies,” Manitoba-bred 2-year-olds, who will be...
by George There’s no question that the highlight of the past weekend at Assiniboia Downs was Balooga Bull demolishing his opposition in the 55th running of the $50,000 Gold Cup on Saturday night. The time for the race wasn’t fast, 1:51.80 for the 1 1/8-miles, but he...