by Bob Gates All of you who remember or who have ever heard of a horse named "Bimbo" please raise your hands. I don't see many arms in the air. That's not unexpected. Until I found an old obscure newspaper article from the now defunct Winnipeg Tribune I didn't know...
by Bob Gates Much has been written about the president and founder of K-tel International since his unexpected death on April 27, 2016. Today we leave the world of the Miracle Brush, Veg-O-Matic, Teflon Fry Pan, Patty Stacker and records like "Hooked on Classics" and...
by Bob When it comes to Derby memories, it gets no better than Merry's Jay win on August 2, 1976. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer couple. Hugh and Ruth Jackson were another one of those special husband/wife teams that called Assiniboia Downs home. Our...
by Bob "He was a real gentleman." That's how people who knew the man that trained horses and ran Jack Hardy's JY Farm in St. Adolphe for the better part of 20 years, described George Victor Howell. The Howell family hailed from Saskatchewan, but made their home in...
by George Jet Again will be the favourite among those with Manitoba connections in this year's Derby and for good reason. The homebred gelding by top local sire Going Commando moved up multiple class levels while also stretching out for the first time this year in his...
$75,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby Entries - Assiniboia Downs Race 8, Monday, August 5, 2013 - Approximate Post Time: 4:53 PM Purse $75,000. 3-Year-Olds. 1 1/8-Miles. Dirt. Win, Place, Show, Superfecta, Triactor, Super High Five, Exactor & Quinella Wagering...
by Bob Anyone who has been around the Downs for a while has likely heard of Cecil Filby, and as our Manitoba Derby fast approaches some may wonder why I selected him for this week’s remembrance. Was it for his accomplishments in our prestigious Derby? Was it for his...
First Manitoba-bred ever to win the Manitoba Derby by Bob In 1976 Merry’s Jay won the Harry Jeffrey Stakes. Eight days later he became the first Manitoba-bred ever to win our own Manitoba Derby. Only two other horses have won the Harry Jeffrey Stakes (which is...
Rob's Picks and Analysis for July 12, 13, Preview of Derby weekend stakes by Rob I’m going to spend the next few paragraphs dealing with “what ifs” and speculating on things that could happen three weeks down the road on Manitoba Lotteries Derby weekend. Five...
by George Williams If it were a fight they would have stopped it 46.20 seconds into the first round. Balooga Bull had his rivals reeling early in the 64th running of the $75,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby after a sizzling first quarter in 22.20 seconds. He then...