The old man daydreams while staring at the empty paddock (Jason Halstead/Assiniboia Photo)
By Track Historian Bob Gates
“September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours,
but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.”
– Rowland E. Robinson
Five short months ago the invitations were sent out for the official launch of the Downs 2025 Live Race Season, and here we are now with only two race dates remaining. It seems like we wait forever for the ponies to arrive and before you know it, their gone. Go figure!?!?
It’s always a bitter sweet time of the year. Am I ready for a break? Probably, but once I catch my breath, I’ll miss the horses, horsemen and all my racetrack friends. After all, it’s an awful long winter. I guess I should have said horsepersons, but in my humble opinion, both sexes are “horsemen” and the women I’ve spoken with have no difficulties being called horsemen.
I got to the track early tonight and the balding senior I like to speak with at this time of year, wasn’t on his bench. However, I noticed him staring at an empty paddock and I approached. “Say old timer, what’s your take on this season?”
He started in “I have nothing but good things to say about the efforts team Assiniboia Downs puts into each and every season, and this year was no different. I truly admire that gang.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in the winter of my life and I can’t be sure which meet will be my last. I’ve heard it said that ‘The winter of life teaches us that every wrinkle is a story, every scar is a survival, every laugh line a proof that joy was real.’ But that’s enough about that. What’s on your mind?”
“I was wondering if you’d care to share any year-end memories from the past?”
“Odd you should ask, I was thinking back and… do you realize that a quarter of a century has passed since the Downs closed the book on the race meet of 2000. Yes, it was 25 years ago that Exclusive Run won the $60,000 Gold Cup on the last day of racing on October 1, 2000.
Exclusive Run wins his second consecutive Gold Cup on October 1, 2000 (Gerry Hart)
In fact, Exclusive Run won the Gold Cup in 1999 as well, making him a rare back-to-back winner. Do you think that’s easy? He was the first horse to do so since George Williams’ Buck Domino did it in 1984 and 1985, 40 years ago!”
“So how about a few more thoughts on the 2000 season?” I asked.
The old man continued, “That year the meet began on May 6th and ran to October 1st – 76 days in all, not the 50-day meets we’ve become accustomed to. The top jock was Rohan Singh. It was his first of four riding titles, with the others coming in 2001, 2005 and 2017.
The leading trainer was Ardell Sayler. It was Ardell’s third win. He would go on to add nine more, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014, giving him a record 12 leading trainer titles. And in case you didn’t know, Gary Danelson was runner-up in 2000. Gary didn’t train this past season, but he was here nonetheless, and no one has more Downs life-time training wins (1255) than the man from Scobey, Montana.
The $40,000 Winnipeg Futurity was also run on the last day of the 2000 meet. Phil Kives’ Corporate Shuffle won it in a romp. The bay colt closed out his two-year-old season going a perfect five wins from five starts.”
Corporate Shuffle winning the Wpg Futurity October 1, 2000 (Gerry Hart)
“Before you go young man, I have a couple of things to show you. The first is a note written in a ‘Calgary Exhibition Race Track’ program from September 6, 1954. Now, I know you like to keep things local, but talk about a 70 year old horseplayer’s lament “I shouldn’t have come today.” I got a kick out of that one!”
Calgary Program September 6, 1954
“I have two other photos that were given to me by the late Dickie Armstrong’s son, Darryn. They are both original prints, by the way. The first is Gold Ern winning the first race on opening day at the Downs on June 10, 1958 with Dickie in the irons.”
Dick Armstrong's first ever win - Edmonton June 24, 1957 (Armstrong Family)
“The other is from June 24, 1957 when Dick got his first ever win aboard Bat and Ball in Edmonton. Dick passed a few years back, but I’m happy to say that Dick’s wife, Gloria is doing well and proudly tells all that Assiniboia Downs always felt like home.”
Gold Ern wins the first race when the Downs opens on June 10, 1958 (Armstrong Family)
“Speaking of home, this past year the Downs had a special feel to it. It felt warm and fuzzy, like a home. Irwin Dreidger’s old agent, Lorne Spearman and I got to talking one evening and he understood exactly what I was saying. He felt it as well. So once again the Downs continues to find ways to do it right.”
I thanked my old friend for sharing. I wished him well and we parted, hoping I would see him again next season. I too understood what he meant about the feeling of home.
That’s it for me, this is my last blog of the season, but don’t worry you’re not free of me yet. Starting next week, the Inside Track will once again publish “old faves” of mine under the title “The Best of Bob.” I hope you enjoy them and with any luck at all, I’ll be back next season. If they’ll have me.
While live racing is drawing to a close, don’t forget there’s always a lot to do at the Downs in the off-season. After all, the Downs operates year-round with VLT action, simulcast racing, dining specials, trade fairs and the like. Be sure to check out the Inside Track newsletter to stay informed about all the “goings on” at Assiniboia Downs.
Please remember I don’t do this alone, so my thanks to all who help me out. You know who you are. Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks to YOU, the loyal readers of the history blog.
Always remember and never ever forget, our Downs is always…
“Home Sweet Home!”