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 For as long as most of us can remember, the first Saturday in May is reserved for the Kentucky Derby, but not this year. The "Run for the Roses" was rescheduled to the fall because of COVID-19. You just knew NBC wasn't going to let an opportunity like...
by Bob Gates There are times when the past begs to be remembered. To hear her story, you must listen carefully, because sometimes it comes to you in unusual ways. The most recent case of nostalgia-like-symptoms came courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press. This year on...
by Bob Gates Marge and Victor Clare ran one of those typical "Mom & Pop" stables. Their story is a good one, except for the part that it took me seven years to get it done. Marge and I "met" via Facebook in 2012, traded emails and lost touch. Fast forward to this...
by Bob Gates Following the death of one of the most popular and respected men in the history of thoroughbred racing in Western Canada in July 1977, Winnipeg Free Press sports editor Maurice Smith wondered, “Who among the loyal followers of horse racing in Winnipeg...
by Bob Gates "Someday, in the future, when a historian begins to record the story of western racing there will be a chapter for gallant little Joey - the Duchess of York - for Help Yourself and Yorkie Prince - for Madgu Don and for the men who, fired with their love...
by Bob With less than a handful of live racing dates left, the end of the 2015 season at Assiniboia Downs is almost upon us. It has been a challenging year, like others recently, but that seems to be the norm these days. And I have a confession! I love this sport and...
by Bob The horse population wasn't what we had hoped, and as a result we saw shorter fields, but the season still featured some fantastic highlights. On the female side of the ledger Go Go Lolo proved herself to be superior. And how about Balooga Bull! What can you...
A $2,000 bargain yearling, the "Bull" was fast from the start by Bob The 37th running of the $30,000 Golden Boy Stakes, which showcases the finest 3-year-olds at the Downs going six furlongs, ran Wednesday evening, and was won by the classy Stormin Monarchos,...
Bobby Stewart and Dick Armstrong had different styles, but got similar results. They won. by Bob From 1962 to 1972, two jockeys dominated the leading rider standings at Assiniboia Downs. In that 11-year period George Richard “Dickie” Armstrong and Robert Roy...