Remembering Pagan Star. All-Time Western Canadian Money Winner (circa 1951)
by Bob Gates Horses come and horses go, but have you ever noticed that the ones we think of most…
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…
Judge George W. Schilling: His Word was the Law on the Canadian Prairies for Three Decades
by Bob Gates George Schilling was a senior racing official in Mexico, the United States and Canada and among the…
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…
That was Then. This is Now.
by Bob Gates There are times when the past begs to be remembered. To hear her story, you must listen…
Assiniboia Downs Survives Foreclosure, Press Box Inferno & Global Pandemic
by Bob Gates Like a Timex watch, the Downs takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The most recent peril…
Assiniboia Downs Kicks Off Season #63 of Live Racing
Milestones & Memories by Bob Gates Welcome to the new "normal" as the Downs makes the final preparations to open…
Secretariat to race on Saturday — virtually speaking
Secretariat winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby. Photo courtesy of KentuckyDerby.com While most sports are quiet these days, there are major…
Historic Winnipeg Futurity highlights final weekend of “Live” racing at ASD
by Bob Gates This year's Winnipeg Futurity marks the 90th running of the prestigious race for 2-year-olds, which makes it…
Sifton Memorial Celebrates 50th Running
by Bob Gates Where does the time go? June 10, 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the death of John Wright…
Jockey Joan Phipps: Saskatoon Sweetheart and Downs Darling
by Bob Gates Life in Saskatoon grew to be a bore and at times even a nightmare for young Joan…
“Wacing’s” Weird & Wacky
by Bob Gates Not even Looney Tunes with its wascally wabbit has anything on thoroughbred horse racing when it comes…
The Clare’s family horse operation was built on passion
by Bob Gates Marge and Victor Clare ran one of those typical "Mom & Pop" stables. Their story is a…
Manitoba Derby Trophy makes 50th Curtain Call
by Bob Gates On Monday, August 5, 2019, the Queen's Cup trophy will make her way to the Assiniboia Downs…
Fire N Desire’s 1969 Derby “Orbit” Turns 50!
by Bob Gates It's been 50 years since Fire N Desire won the 21st running of the Manitoba Derby. The…
Stars of the Western Canada Handicap
by Bob Gates Polo Park racetrack played host to some of the most historic races in Western Canada including the…
Larry’s the name, hunting, fishing and riding are my games
by Bob Gates What's the wackiest injury that resulted in a jockey cancelling his mounts for the day? There aren't…
The Speers. A Modern Day History. Assiniboia Downs Resurrects RJ’s Race.
by Bob Gates When we left off last week's blog story, horse racing's future in Winnipeg looked bleak. R. J.…
The Early History of the R. J. Speers Stakes. 1926-1956
by Bob Gates On Saturday, June 29 "The Speers" celebrates its 60th running, but what most don’t realize is that…
Yorkshire Lad CCR. $20 Wager Led to a Life-Long Career in Horse Racing.
by Bob Gates Following the death of one of the most popular and respected men in the history of thoroughbred…
A Man and his Horse: The Tale of “Slim” Keith & Contributor
by Bob Gates "Someday, in the future, when a historian begins to record the story of western racing there will…
The Big Man from South Dakota is Gone
by Bob Gates Sunday, May 26 was a typical afternoon on the backside at Assiniboia Downs, after all, horses don’t…
From cheap punch line to the pride of Canada
by Bob Gates "A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust…" A catchy start for telling…
A Tale of Two Bobbys: May 3, 1969 – The Best of Times. May 3, 1985 – The Worst of Times.
by Bob Gates The 2019 racing season is loaded with special anniversaries. Last week it was Barbara Jo Rubin and…
Happy 50th Barbara Jo!
by Bob Gates On May 16, 1969, 19-year-old, Barbara Jo Rubin became the first female jockey to win a race…
62nd Season at Assiniboia Downs in the starting gate! Milestones and Memories.
by Bob Gates The crazy Kentucky Derby is in the books for another year, so you know live racing at…
Horses of the Great War. Lest We Forget.
by Bob Gates November 11, 2018 marks the centenary of "The Great War." Whether you know it as Armistice Day,…
2018 Live Racing Season sails into the sunset, but lots going on in off-season at Downs
by Bob Gates The end is near! Okay, perhaps that's a little too melodramatic, but this is my final blog…
They knew how to win
by Bob Gates Horses that know how to win are the most revered in the sport of horse racing. Every…
Mays Relic: Classy chestnut. Forever savoured.
by Bob Gates Mays Relic came to Jack and Yvette Hardy's J. Y. Stable as a 5-year-old gelding by Bandit…