Ivan Dowler

Stakes Honor Influential Builders at ASD

Stakes Honor Influential Builders at ASD

by Bob Gates R. C. Anderson, Frank Arnason, Jack Hardy, Phil Kives, R. J. Speers, J. W. Sifton and Hazel Wright make up the collective of builders that are remembered through memorial stake races in 2020 at Assiniboia Downs. There have been others over the years...

Spring, Sprints and a Spike, with record-setting speed

Spring, Sprints and a Spike, with record-setting speed

by Bob Those of us who go back to the early 1980s will know that "Spike" is none other than Northern Spike. He was owned and bred by the late Ivan Dowler in partnership with sons Graham, John and Dan - Graham and John have both passed as well. Spike was a handsome...

Tiny Broad Zone – Guts and Glory at 2 1/4-miles

Tiny Broad Zone – Guts and Glory at 2 1/4-miles

by Bob Most of you have probably never heard of Broad Zone, and for good reason. His story began back in June 1956 at old Polo Park race track and climaxed at the "new" Assiniboia Downs in August 1961. Overall his career wasn't all that remarkable -- with one...