Mike in the paddock with Souvenir Zone in September 2009. (Bob Gates photo) By Track Historian Bob Gates The news came via social media: Mike Olito had passed away on April 25th. As the date for his celebration of life on May 19th approached, I found myself thinking...
Polo Park opening day full page ad (Winnipeg Tribune, June 11, 1925) By Track Historian Bob Gates This coming June 12 marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Polo Park Racetrack. It was the beginning of a run that lasted 31 years and 22 days. Billed as...
By Track Historian Bob Gates When you walk through the main entrance at the Downs and make your way to the Guest Services area, don’t be surprised if you start to feel a tad nostalgic. Cue Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone music—for you have just entered the “history zone.”...
Robert James Speers circa 1940 by Bob Gates, Track Historian Ever notice that time seems to move more quickly than it used to? The Kentucky Derby and Mothers’ Day are now firmly in the rearview mirror. This year’s race meet at Assiniboia Downs will mark several...
And they're off! (Jason Halstead) By Track Historian Bob Gates When opening night rolls around on Tuesday, May 13th it will have been 230 days since we said goodbye to “live” racing on September 24, 2024. Yes, it’s been about 7 ½-months since last year’s race meet...
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...
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...
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...
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...
By Bob Gates Our fourth and final Love Month tribute goes to Sacred Arrow. This chestnut mare raced from 1966 to 1969. She may not be the most well-known competitor, but there's something to appreciate about a June 10, 1967, photo featuring John and June Sifton. We're...