Jimmy Anderson

Secretariat’s Triple Crown: A Half Century Later

Secretariat’s Triple Crown: A Half Century Later

by Bob Gates As the opening passage starts, “In the beginning…” One of the greatest horses in the history of horse racing made his first start on July 4, 1972. In time he would become America’s horse, so how fitting is it that Secretariat would go to post on...

Lawrence Greenberg: Master of Big Boy Stable

Lawrence Greenberg: Master of Big Boy Stable

by Bob Gates "Lawrence was bigger than life. He was what I pictured a big owner to look like, just the way he carried himself. The stable name suited him to a tee." -- Irwin Driedger on Lawrence Greenberg You hear phrases like "bigger than life" all the time, but in...

It all began with a “Fling” – Island Fling that is…

It all began with a “Fling” – Island Fling that is…

by Bob Gates More than 40 years ago, the late Philip Kives built his K5 racing empire on the back of Island Fling. Phil couldn't recall how he met up with Don Gray, but Gray was the man he approached about buying a horse and getting into the racing biz.  According to...

The Greatest Race That Never Was

The Greatest Race That Never Was

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...

Horses made jockey Jimmy Anderson whole

Horses made jockey Jimmy Anderson whole

by Bob Gates When Sir Winston Churchill said that "there's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man" it was like he knew Jimmy Anderson. James E. Anderson was the son of track veterinarian Dr. Norm and Mrs. Peggy Anderson.  Jim and...

A Tale of Two Wolves for 2016 Opening Day at ASD

A Tale of Two Wolves for 2016 Opening Day at ASD

by Bob Gates The 2016 live racing season kicks off on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, as has become our custom at Assiniboia Downs, and have I got a story for you. It goes like this: An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside...

Remembering Lexico, Canada Day and Foolish Pleasure

by Bob This Sunday marks the 36th running of the Canada Day Stakes. These days the race is for fillies and mares 3-and-up, who will compete for a $30,000 purse, but this race wasn’t always for fillies and mares. That restriction has evolved over the years, as has the...