by Bob Gates Some and perhaps most of you will consider this week's blog story choice a little obscure. Others will look at the title and wonder, Rupert who? Rupert Parker was a jockey who plied his trade at Assiniboia Downs from the mid 1960s to the mid to late 1970s. He wasn't the most…
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15 Minutes with Clayton Gray, The Man from Dominion City
[caption id="attachment_6951" align="alignnone" width="780"] Clayton Gray's first win as trainer. Tedders. July 25, 1964.[/caption] by Bob Gates What can I say? Those of you who know Clayton Gray will see the humour in the title of this week's blog story. Let's face it; you are more likely to see pigs fly than have a 15…
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Already Dia, Alberta invader with talent to burn
by Bob Gates You hear glowing accolades about certain thoroughbreds all the time around the race track. You know, the usual and arguably over-used descriptors like "the peoples' horse", "champion" and the like. I do it here in my blog stories all the time, but the truth is sometimes it can't be helped. Every once…
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Assiniboia Downs celebrates Diamond Jubilee as dark, mysterious stranger lurks
by Bob Gates Have you seen him? His slicked-back black-as-night hair high atop the 60-year-old Assiniboia Downs grandstand. For the last couple of months his signature morning screams have echoed throughout the grounds as the Downs prepares to kick off Season 60. For those who aren't sure who or what I'm talking about, I'm…
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