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…
Windsor Moon: Teachers’ Pet and 1971 Gold Cup Winner
by Bob Gates What do you get when you combine seven St. Boniface school teachers, $1,500 and a desire for…
Audrey’s Cowboy was Track “Super” for Two Decades
by Bob Gates This week's title may be a little cryptic, but there are many of you who will know…
The Day Two Ladies Reigned Supreme at ASD. July 15, 1970 .
by Bob Gates Manitoba was celebrating its centenary in 1970 and the owner of Assiniboia Downs, Jack Hardy, wasn't about…
Plentiful’s 2017 Manitoba Derby triumph provides storybook ending
by Bob Gates Imagine, a blog dedicated to all things historical, and this week we travel all the way back…
Overskate and Connections Dominate in 1978 Manitoba Derby
by Bob Gates It’s been 40 years since Overskate and Robin Platts spanked five innocent foes in 30th running of…
Manitoba Derby: Runs to Remember
by Bob Gates Welcome to the second in our five-part series devoted to the 70th Running of the Manitoba…
Everything you wanted to know about the Manitoba Derby, but were afraid to ask
by Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is a month away and what better time to look back at the history…
Jim Coleman left a “Hoofprint on our Heart”
by Bob Gates This week's blog story is a departure from our usual tale of yesteryear. In the early 1970s…
G. Sydney Halter. CFL Czar and Lord High Commissioner of Manitoba Horse Racing
by Bob Gates G. Sydney Halter was the fledgling Canadian Football League's (CFL) top boss from 1958 to 1966. As…
Captain Stanley Harrison – Pioneer of Racing in Winnipeg
by Bob Gates Imagine yourself exploring central Africa much like Henry Morton Stanley in search of missionary and explorer David…
Nathan “Nick” Block — Owner, Trainer, Philanthropist
by Bob Gates Owner, trainer, philanthropist. Now there are three words you don't usually see together, at least not in…
Cowboy Jack Kaenel. A Preakness Memory.
by Bob Gates With this year's Preakness in the books, Justify and jockey Mike Smith are busy preparing their bid…
Robert J. “Boo Boo” Watt – A Racetracker for Seven Decades
by Bob Gates On the evening of Friday August 30, 1946, old Polo Park looked more like Satan's Hell than…
Remembering “Hustlin” Hugo Dittfach’s epic journey: From Concentration Camp to Leading Jockey
From World War ll Concentration Camp to 1958 Leading Jockey Title at the Downs by Bob Gates As a young…
Opening day 2018 beckons at ASD. A little history!
by Bob Gates Everyone's talking about the Kentucky Derby and Mothers' Day is just around the corner. You know what…