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...
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...
Gary Danelson Leading Trainer Plaque By Bob Gates This August 28th our dear friend from Scobey, Montana will be celebrating 87 trips around the sun and August 29th will mark the 65th anniversary of his first win at Assiniboia Downs. The other day I gave Gary a quick...
Island Fling in 1979 with the original Gold Cup trophy By Bob Gates Nothing draws more attention than a good mystery. The mere mention of Loch Ness, Stonehenge, Bigfoot, Amelia Earhart or the Bermuda Triangle will captivate any audience. Our focus on the local horse...
Victory Gift, September 4, 1948 By Bob Gates Victory Gift: Three Generations of Success Over the years Assiniboia Downs has been blessed with some of the finest fillies and mares in horseracing. We thought we had seen the best of the best with likes of: Miss Missile...
By Track Historian Bob Gates Every once in a while a horse comes along with a unique combination of qualities that separates him from the rest. Lloyd Gray & sons’ Rangatira was a racehorse that ticked all the boxes. He was a gelded son of 1955 Horse of the Year...
by Track Historian Bob Gates On June 16, 1934 quinella betting was introduced to Winnipeg racegoers at Polo Park racetrack. Traditionally the wager was offered on the final race of the day. The bet called for picking the first two finishers, regardless of order....
by Track Historian Bob Gates Let’s go for a walk and retrace the steps of jockeys that the newspaper scribes once called the “winningest” riders in the history of Assiniboia Downs. “Winningest” is an awkward term and not one you hear much anymore. So let’s go with...
by Track Historian Bob Gates Tucked away between the Red River and the CNR main line embankment in St. Boniface lies a recreational green space called Whittier Park. However, Father Time and the flood of 1950 have erased any evidence of the old racetrack. The only...