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 life-long achievements at the Downs? No.…
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A look at the weekend’s 2-year-old races at ASD
[caption id="attachment_2573" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Janine Smith winning the final leg of the ASD Pick-4 on Wednesday aboard Got Zip. The pool was over $29,000! A $2 ticket paid $736.90."][/caption] Rob's ASD Pick and Analysis for the July 26 weekend by Rob This weekend of racing features three races restricted to Manitoba-bred 2-year-olds. On paper…
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15 minutes with Smoky Cinder
[caption id="attachment_2536" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Smoky Cinder in 1999."][/caption] Competitive fires still burning in local living legend by Bob Who knew? Downs’ legendary graded stakes-placed and multiple stakes winner Smoky Cinder, a grandson of the mighty Northern Dancer, is alive and well at 20! One night at the track I approached the man who used…
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Merry’s Jay: Lord of Avondale and the Toast of Manitoba
[caption id="attachment_2513" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Merry's Jay wins 1976 Manitoba Derby."][/caption] 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…
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A Girl’s Gotta Do does just that in $50,000 R.C. Anderson Stakes at ASD
[caption id="attachment_2472" align="alignright" width="270" caption="A Girl's Gotta Do powers away from R. C. Anderson field."][/caption] $4,482 Manitoba-bred yearling powers away from field for Last Call Stable by George Last Call Stable’s A Girl’s Gotta Do powered away in the stretch to win the $50,000 R.C. Anderson Stakes by 9 ¾-lengths on Saturday night at…
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Manitoba Lotteries Derby weekend stakes shaping up perfectly for fans and bettors
[caption id="attachment_2464" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Possible Manitoba Lotteries Derby favourite Stormin Monarcho"][/caption] 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…
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Body Works, Super Filly and Grandam to a Champion!
[caption id="attachment_2436" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Body Works wins 1992 R.C. Anderson."][/caption] High class Manitoba thoroughbred family resulted in Santa Anita Derby-G1 winner by Bob In 1992 local legendary trainer, the late Don Gray, described 3-year-old Body Works as the best filly he had ever trained. That’s about as high praise as you can get around…
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Pleasant Closing outgames Gotatigerbythetail to win Wheat City, Balooga Bull fourth
[caption id="attachment_2423" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Jockey Tyrone Nelson has big smile after Wheat City win aboard Pleasant Closing."][/caption] Balooga Bull uncharacteristically lacks response after half mile in 48 by George Pleasant Closing dug deep in the drive to defeat Gotatigerbythetail by a neck in the $30,000 Wheat City at ASD on Saturday night, while favoured…
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Can Balooga Bull match the excitement of Friday night’s $17,000 Pick-4 payoff in tonight’s $30,000 Wheat City?
[caption id="attachment_1635" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Baloooga Bull and groom Richard Spencer were all smiles after winning last year's Gold Cup. More of the same tonight?"][/caption] 2012 Horse of the Year stretches out, faces four rivals by George Balooga Bull stretches out for the first time this year Saturday night in the $30,000 Wheat City going…
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Canada Day, Intercontinent, ASD Record Maker!
[caption id="attachment_2359" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Intercontinent defeats Major Enterprise in the 1981 Canada Day Stakes."][/caption] Kives' classy chestnut speedster one of the best ever to race at Downs by Bob This past Monday marked the 37th running of the $30,000 Canada Day Stakes for fillies and mares. Officially it may have been the 37th running,…
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